Cold case appeal over 1988 murder of woman found mutilated and dumped in a ditch

Detectives in fresh attempt to find killer of Linda Donaldson three decades after her death

The murder of sex worker Linda Donaldson has remained unsolved for the past three decades (PA)

Police have appealed to the public for help solving the cold case murder of a woman found dumped in a ditch 30 years ago.

Linda Donaldson’s mutilated body was discovered in a field near Lowton, Wigan, on 18 October 1988.

The 31-year-old sex worker from Liverpool was last seen by her flatmate as she left her home in the city at around 10.30pm the previous evening.

A Merseyside Police officer who knew Donaldson well also recalled seeing her between 11pm and midnight.

Her flat mate reported her missing the following morning and her body was discovered several hours later.

Police enquiries established she had been moved to the ditch after her death but the location of the murder has never been determined and no one was convicted in connection with the crime.

Now, three decades to the day since Donaldson's body was found, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has launched a fresh appeal for information in order to bring her killer to justice.

“The murder of Linda Donaldson shocked everyone who worked on it,” said Martin Bottomley, of GMP’s cold case review unit.

“She didn't have the best start in life and through no fault of her own was forced into a lifestyle she would never have chosen for herself.

”She ended up losing her life in horrific circumstances and her killer has never been found.

“There are many unanswered questions but we believe there are people out there who know what happened to her.”

Police are offering a £50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Donaldson's killer.

“Maybe you lived in Merseyside or the Lowton area at the time and recall something that seemed out of place,” Mr Bottomley added.

“Perhaps you've heard someone talk of the case since and thought something they said seemed odd or out of character.

“The smallest pieces of information can often lead to fresh lines of inquiry that help police crack unsolved crimes such as this.”

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Anyone with information can call GMP's dedicated team on: 0161 856 5978 or alternatively, details can be given anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers by calling: 0800 555 111.