Kate Bussell, 14, died from a stab wound to her neck in fields just a few hundred yards from her home in Devon on November 15, 1997. The student at the time was walking her friend’s Jack Russell. Her father Gerry discovered Kate’s body in a field off Exwick Lane, on the outskirts of Exeter, three hours after she disappeared. Her older brother Tim has now come forward to “plead” anyone who knows about the murder to come forward. Image: Kate Bushell pictured with big brother Tim in a family photo taken before she was murdered Mr Bushell said: “Not a day goes by that my family and I don’t think about her, what life would have been like if she hadn’t been taken from us, what she would have achieved and all the family milestones we couldn’t include her in. “I would appeal to anyone who has not been able to do so in the past to share any information with the police so that with your help they can catch those responsible and bring justice for Kate.” A £20,000 reward is being offered by the charity Crimestoppers for information leading to her killer being brought to justice. More than 160 detectives and officers conducted 5,000 house-to-house interviews and took 5,000 DNA samples during the original investigation a generation ago. Three suspects were questioned and released without charge. A review of the case and a new appeal five years ago led police to 10 new lines of inquiry thanks to 204 calls and messages to the incident room. But detectives say they are still missing a breakthrough. Detective Constable Rob Buck of Devon and Cornwall Police said: “We are as committed as ever to bringing those responsible to justice. Read more on Sky News: Man accused of murdering girlfriend killed mother-of-two by accident, court told How an AutoTrader ad, a call to Skoda and good old fashioned police work stopped the violent gun gang Image: Tim Bushell has ‘begged’ the public for new information DI Back added: “We appreciate that 25 years is a long time but someone needs to know what happened that day. For whatever reason they haven’t come forward but it’s not too late to do so now.” On the day of the murder, Kate left her home in Burrator Drive to walk her neighbour’s dog at around 4.30pm. She was last seen alive at 4:50 p.m. from a layby near the Whitestone Cross end of Exwick Lane. Image: Kate Bushell’s parents Jerry and Suzanne and brother Tim (centre) attended a memorial service at her school following her death Kate suffered a catastrophic injury to her neck caused by a blade at least six inches long. DI Back added: “I remain convinced that someone either knows or suspects who is responsible for Kate’s death. “Maybe someone was suspicious of someone in their life back then and was protecting them from misplaced faith. Now it’s time to change those tracks.” Anyone with information should pass it on to Devon and Cornwall Police’s Major Incident Public Portal online or to Crimestoppers anonymously.
