Janet Murgatroyd: 30 years later as police continue to appeal for information

“Janet Murgatroyd, my only child, was brutally murdered 30 years ago. The perpetrator is still at large; someone knows who this man is.''

These are the heartfelt words of Mary who wants her daughter’s killer brought to justice and end three decades of not knowing.

Janet’s body was found in the River Ribble at Preston in June 1996.

She was only 20, studying at university and working part-time as staff at Lancashire Police headquarters in Hutton.

Janet had her life ahead of her – only for that to be cruelly and coldly taken away from her.

Mary said: “Janet was on her way home after a day celebrating with her pal, having bought tickets for a holiday abroad. She couldn’t get a taxi, so she started to walk home to Penwortham.

“I need closure, this continues to affect me and my siblings. The killer needs putting away.”

Lancashire Police are this week renewing their appeal for information in the continued search for Janet’s murderer.

On Saturday 15th June 1996, Janet had spent the day with her best friend Fiona Watson shopping in Preston and visiting pubs in the city centre.

You might remember that hot summer’s day because of two significant events.

The IRA detonated a bomb at the Arndale shopping centre in Manchester that morning, causing devastating damage in the area.

In the afternoon, England played Scotland at Wembley in Euro 96, Paul ‘Gazza’ Gascoigne scoring a memorable goal on the way to a 2-0 victory.

Janet and her friend visited The Adelphi pub late on the Saturday evening, Janet leaving the pub with a young man she had been talking to and walking into the city centre.

They parted company near to Tokyo Jo’s nightclub, and Janet was later seen walking alone on Fishergate and Fishergate Hill in the direction of Penwortham.

In the early hours of Sunday 16th June, people saw Janet on Penwortham Bridge which crosses the River Ribble between Preston and Penwortham.

Two witnesses walking home from a night out reported hearing a female wail and seeing a man crouched down by the riverbank near to the Holme Road car park.

Later that day, Janet’s body was found in the River Ribble.

Detective Chief Inspector Bryony Midgley of the Major Crime Review Team, said: “Janet was a young woman who loved life and was loved by so many people.

“She had so much going for her and that was taken away when she was attacked and killed as she walked home.

“Janet should have been able to get home safely that night, she was entitled to feel safe as she made her way home from Preston to Penwortham.

“Someone saw her on that journey home and for whatever reason attacked Janet and murdered her. It is horrifying to think of what she experienced.

“It is 30 years since Janet was killed but we remain determined to get justice for Janet and her family. DNA technology and scientific approaches have significantly improved over the last 30 years, so I hope we will be able to take advantage of this as part of our investigation.

“We continue to appeal for information. It might be that you saw something that night or have information which you didn’t contact police about in 1996 or in the years since.

“It might be that relationships and loyalties have changed since then, and you are now able to speak to us.

“Something you saw at the time might not have seemed relevant and you didn’t report it, but it could help our investigation.

“If you were in the area around Fishergate Hill and Penwortham Bridge late on 15th June and into the early hours of 16th June, and you haven’t spoken to our officers, I ask you to please get in contact.

“We have a dedicated team of detectives working on the investigation.”

If you have information which you think could help, contact 101, quoting log 0260 of 15th June 2026.

Independent charity Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of who is responsible for Janet’s murder.

They worked independently of police and can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A man who was convicted of Janet’s manslaughter in 2003, and later had his conviction quashed by the Court of Appeal, does not form part of current enquiries.