Three many years on from the unsolved homicide of a mom who was attacked in a churchyard, detectives have renewed their push to seek out her killer or killers.
Tracey Mertens was doused in petrol and set alight in Eaton churchyard close to Congleton, in Cheshire, on 23 December 1994. She was 31-years-old.
Regardless of having burns to round 95 per cent of her physique, Mertens held on to life for 12 hours and was capable of inform detectives as a lot as she might earlier than she died.
Now, 30 years on, detectives at Cheshire Police are determined to resolve the case, significantly for the girl’s two youngsters. However they are saying assist is required from the general public for extra data on what occurred.
Merten’s sister Sharon Howarth, left, and their mom, Barbara Mertens, make an attraction for data in 1995 (PA)
Detectives imagine Mertens, who lived in Rochdale, was kidnapped by two males whereas on a go to to her former house in Birmingham to select up a advantages e book.
Mertens advised police that two males turned up on the door and bundled her into the again of a yellow Ford Escort.
She was pushed to the Eaton churchyard in Cheshire the place she was set on hearth.
Tracey Mertens advised police all she might earlier than passing away (PA)
A member of the general public noticed her and she or he was rushed to hospital.
“This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of Tracey’s demise – a time that’s understandably nonetheless very tough for her household,” Det Insp Nigel Reid of Cheshire Police stated.
“Tracey met a violent and horrific demise by the hands of her killers. She was so courageous and advised detectives as a lot as she might earlier than she died.
Cheshire Police handout of a Yellow Ford Escort automotive, just like one Tracey Mertens was bundled into (PA)
“Though intensive enquiries have been accomplished, together with arrests, forensic evaluations, and CPS recommendation, up to now no-one has been convicted in relation to the demise of Tracey, and the file stays open.
“As an organisation, we proceed to assessment undetected investigations and can at all times act on any new data. Due to this fact, as Tracey’s household prepares to spend one other Christmas day with out her, I might attraction to anybody who has any details about Tracey’s demise to get in contact.”
Cheshire Police urges anybody with data to contact the Operation Eaton investigation group on 101 or by way of www.cheshire.police.uk/tell-us quoting IML 1983827.
