French veto trial over 1990 death

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The father of a student murdered in 1990 says the alleged prime suspect in the case will not be prosecuted.

The body of Joanna Parrish, 21, from Newnham-on-Severn, Gloucestershire, was found floating in the River Yonne in France, 16 years ago.

Her father, Roger Parrish, 63, believes Joanna may have been the victim of Belgian paedophile Michel Fourniret.

But French authorities have said there is insufficient evidence to prosecute Fourniret for Joanna's murder.

Fourniret, 63, is currently in custody awaiting trial, charged with murdering seven women in Belgium and France since 1987.

English lessons

Last year, Fourniret's estranged wife Monique Olivier, linked her husband with two killings in France, one of them in 1990. He denied the allegations.

Mr Parrish said he was devastated after being told by the French authorities that there was insufficient evidence to link Joanna's murder to Fourniret.

"This decision is upsetting and totally frustrating," he said.

"It does seem that all avenues are closed at the time being, but maybe there are political channels that can be followed."

Ms Parrish was teaching English at a school in Auxerre, during a year out from Leeds University, when she disappeared.

She vanished after she went to meet a man who answered her newspaper advert offering private English lessons.

A day later her naked body was found floating in the River Yonne near Auxerre.

She had been beaten, raped and strangled.