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Suspect in 1979 murder case named Suspect in 1979 murder case named
(about 3 hours later)
Police have named a man suspected of the murder and rape of a woman in 1979 following the exhumation of his body.Police have named a man suspected of the murder and rape of a woman in 1979 following the exhumation of his body.
Detectives have revealed the DNA of David Lace, 26, whose remains were dug up last month, matched that of the suspected killer of Teresa De Simone.Detectives have revealed the DNA of David Lace, 26, whose remains were dug up last month, matched that of the suspected killer of Teresa De Simone.
The 22-year-old victim was found in her car at the pub in Southampton where she worked part-time, in December 1979.The 22-year-old victim was found in her car at the pub in Southampton where she worked part-time, in December 1979.
Sean Hodgson, 58, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.Sean Hodgson, 58, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.
Mr Lace was originally from Portsmouth and, at the time of the murder, he was 17 and living in the city.Mr Lace was originally from Portsmouth and, at the time of the murder, he was 17 and living in the city.
He must have been very troubled. We will never know why he did it Mary Sedotti, Teresa De Simone's motherHe must have been very troubled. We will never know why he did it Mary Sedotti, Teresa De Simone's mother
He took his own life in December 1988 when he was living in Brixham, Devon. He did not feature in the original police investigation and was not thought to have had prior links to Miss De Simone.He took his own life in December 1988 when he was living in Brixham, Devon. He did not feature in the original police investigation and was not thought to have had prior links to Miss De Simone.
He made admissions to the murder in 1983 following Mr Hodgson's conviction at Winchester Crown Court some 18 months earlier.He made admissions to the murder in 1983 following Mr Hodgson's conviction at Winchester Crown Court some 18 months earlier.
The Ministry of Justice gave permission for Mr Lace's body to be exhumed from Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, after new DNA samples indicated he was the prime suspect in the case.The Ministry of Justice gave permission for Mr Lace's body to be exhumed from Kingston Cemetery, Portsmouth, after new DNA samples indicated he was the prime suspect in the case.
Teresa De Simone's mother said she was a "happy girl, but shy"Teresa De Simone's mother said she was a "happy girl, but shy"
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would have been enough to charge Mr Lace with the rape and murder of Ms De Simone.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed it would have been enough to charge Mr Lace with the rape and murder of Ms De Simone.
Alastair Nisbet, senior crown prosecutor for Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said: "But this is in no sense a declaration that he was guilty of the offences.Alastair Nisbet, senior crown prosecutor for Hampshire & Isle of Wight, said: "But this is in no sense a declaration that he was guilty of the offences.
"Had Mr Lace lived, our decision would merely have authorised the police to begin the legal process by charging him.""Had Mr Lace lived, our decision would merely have authorised the police to begin the legal process by charging him."
Miss De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub, where she worked behind the bar.Miss De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub, where she worked behind the bar.
Her mother Mary Sedotti, 77, said the naming of the suspect would give some closure on the matter.Her mother Mary Sedotti, 77, said the naming of the suspect would give some closure on the matter.
Historic exhumationHistoric exhumation
"It is a relief to get it all done," she said. "Hopefully, we can all start to move on now."It is a relief to get it all done," she said. "Hopefully, we can all start to move on now.
"In a way it's hard knowing that he is not here to answer or explain. But then, at the same time, I think that what he did shows he must have had a conscience."In a way it's hard knowing that he is not here to answer or explain. But then, at the same time, I think that what he did shows he must have had a conscience.
Mr Hodgson walked free from the Court of Appeal in MarchMr Hodgson walked free from the Court of Appeal in March
"He must have been very troubled. We will never know why he did it.""He must have been very troubled. We will never know why he did it."
Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone.Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone.
But he pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.But he pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.
After Mr Hodgson's conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal in March this year, police carried out DNA screening of more than 100 people.After Mr Hodgson's conviction was quashed at the Court of Appeal in March this year, police carried out DNA screening of more than 100 people.
Hampshire police said it was only the second time the suspect in a historic murder inquiry had been exhumed, in the UK. Hampshire police said it was one the rare times the suspect in a historic murder inquiry had been exhumed, in the UK.
The first case involved ex-nightclub doorman Joe Kappen, of Goytre Cemetery in Port Talbot, south Wales, in May 2002.The first case involved ex-nightclub doorman Joe Kappen, of Goytre Cemetery in Port Talbot, south Wales, in May 2002.
Detectives got important DNA evidence from his body linking him to the murder of three 16-year-old girls in 1973.Detectives got important DNA evidence from his body linking him to the murder of three 16-year-old girls in 1973.