Surinder Kaur Varyapraj: New DNA breakthrough could solve murder of mother-of-three in 1996

Cold case detectives hoping fresh appeal will help to catch killer

Nobody has ever been arrested for the murder in Handsworth, Birmingham (West Midlands Police)

New DNA evidence could help solve the murder of a mother-of-three more than 22 years ago, say police.

Surinder Kaur Varyapraj, 36, was found strangled in a bedroom at her home in Handsworth, Birmingham, on 5 March 1996.

Nobody was ever arrested for the killing despite the extensive forensic examinations which recovered an unidentified set of fingerprints from the scene.

A review of the evidence by officers from the cold case review team at West Midlands Police has now uncovered a DNA profile of the killer.

It has led to several people being eliminated from the inquiry but the profile does not match anyone on the national DNA database.

Detectives are now appealing for information about an Asian man who is thought to have lived in the area and was seen driving a Jaguar XJS.

Cold case investigator Sab Johal said: “We are keen to trace an Asian man who drove a Jaguar XJS, with the partial registration RAJ, who has been mentioned by other witnesses during the investigation.

“He was believed to rent a room in Vicarage Road, Handsworth, however the man was never identified.

“We think someone may know who he is or remember the car.

“If they do, I would urge them to come forward with a name. There are measures we can take to protect the identity of anyone with information. If you are that person and you were not involved in the death of Surinder, you can come forward and be eliminated through DNA comparison.

“You can come forward in the strictest of confidence.”

Ms Varyapraj was last seen alive on 4 February 1996, when she swept snow from the alleyway at the rear of her home.

The following day neighbours heard a brief high-pitched scream.

Her badly-decomposed body was only found a month later after a local shopkeeper became concerned about her disappearance. Ms Varyapraj had been strangled, possibly with some sort of ligature.

“We now need the public’s help to find the person responsible – we need a name so it can be compared against the new DNA sample,” said Mr Johal.

“This was an horrific act and we are still doing all we can to deliver justice for the family of Surinder.”