£20k reward offered to help solve brutal murder of mother-of-three almost two decades ago

Jennifer Kiely was found dead in 2005 after she suffered stab wounds and had been set on fire

Jennifer Kiely was discovered dead on January 22, 2005 at a seafront shelter in Eastbourne (Sussex Police/PA) (PA Media)

A £20,000 reward is being offered for information that could help solve a murder from 19 years ago.

Jennifer Kiely, 35, was discovered dead in a seafront shelter on January 22 in 2005, after being stabbed 16 times and set on fire.

The mother-of-three was found with a pushchair on top of her body after a fire was reported on the lower promenade at Holywell on Eastbourne seafront.

The area where Jennifer was discovered was often frequented by the local homeless community.

The reward offered by Crimestoppers comes on the anniversary of her death, and the charity is asking for information that leads to a conviction of anyone involved in the murder.

Sussex Police are also urging anyone with information to come forward.

Detectives said Ms Kiely was well known in Eastbourne and spent her last day with friends at a property in Upperton Gardens.

The police force is hoping to eliminate an “eastern European” man from the investigation, who was seen the night before Jennifer was murdered walking in the road at the back of the Grand Hotel.

Ms Kiely’s mother, Margaret, said: “I think of her every day. But on her anniversary I can’t stop, I can’t switch off. Somebody, somewhere, knows who is responsible. Just please come forward and let us know.”

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Dunn, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “This remains an active investigation and Jennifer’s family are desperate for answers, as are we.

“We know the seafront shelter was frequented by the homeless community and we are urging anyone with any information which may assist in our investigation to please come forward.”

DCI Dunn said she left at about midnight and was last seen at around 1am walking along the seafront towards Holywell. Her body was discovered at 5am by council workers.

He described the man they are trying to trace as: “eastern European by his accent and appearance. He was about 5’10-11, of slim to medium build. His hair was a light blond colour, short but in no particular style. His face was roundish, and he had dominant cheek and jaw lines.”

“Jennifer’s family deserve to know what happened to her and who is responsible,” DCI Dunn added.

People with information are urged to contact Crimestoppers to qualify for the reward, they can be contacted anonymously by calling 0800 555 111 or online.