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| Corpse exhumed in search for DNA | Corpse exhumed in search for DNA |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| A body of a woman found decapitated 33 years ago has been exhumed by police hoping to use DNA samples to reveal her identity and her killer. | A body of a woman found decapitated 33 years ago has been exhumed by police hoping to use DNA samples to reveal her identity and her killer. |
| The headless corpse of the woman, found dressed in a pink nightdress, was discovered in Cockley Cley near Swaffham, Norfolk, in 1974. | The headless corpse of the woman, found dressed in a pink nightdress, was discovered in Cockley Cley near Swaffham, Norfolk, in 1974. |
| She was never formally identified but police hope scientific advances will find her family, friends or colleagues. | |
| Norfolk Police said the inquiry was among the biggest it had carried out. | |
| The woman, who was believed to be between 23 and 30 years old, was found wrapped in a tarpaulin in a country lane on 24 August 1974. Her head was never found. The nightdress had been bought from a Marks and Spencer store. | |
| 'Catch the killer' | 'Catch the killer' |
| Despite police launching a long investigation, which included taking 700 statements and questioning 15,000 people, they were never able to identify the woman or find out where she had come from. | Despite police launching a long investigation, which included taking 700 statements and questioning 15,000 people, they were never able to identify the woman or find out where she had come from. |
| Now the DNA evidence taken from the exhumed body could take police a step closer to identifying the woman. | Now the DNA evidence taken from the exhumed body could take police a step closer to identifying the woman. |
| Police hope to hear from anyone who has not seen a relative, friend or colleague since 1974. | Police hope to hear from anyone who has not seen a relative, friend or colleague since 1974. |
| Det Insp Andy Guy, who is conducting the cold case investigation, says: "The likelihood is it will be a member of the public ringing and saying 'that is my sister, neighbour or work colleague'. | Det Insp Andy Guy, who is conducting the cold case investigation, says: "The likelihood is it will be a member of the public ringing and saying 'that is my sister, neighbour or work colleague'. |
| "It is possible that she was a holidaymaker, or that she was staying at one of the nearby military camps. | "It is possible that she was a holidaymaker, or that she was staying at one of the nearby military camps. |
| "She could have been local or she could have been brought in from away. The truth is we just don't know. | "She could have been local or she could have been brought in from away. The truth is we just don't know. |
| "Once we identify her, we know where to look to catch the killer." | "Once we identify her, we know where to look to catch the killer." |