In 2026, Merseyside Police detectives issued a significant public appeal to mark the 40th anniversary of the brutal murder of 21-year-old Diane Sindall in Birkenhead, reaffirming an independent £20,000 reward for information that brings her true killer to justice.
Diane was murdered in the early hours of Saturday 2 August 1986. Her body was located several hours later by a passer-by in an alleyway situated off Borough Road in Birkenhead. Post-mortem examinations established that she had been subjected to a serious sexual assault and sustained extensive, fatal physical trauma.
The inquiry was officially reopened in 2023 following substantial advances in modern forensic pathology and DNA extraction techniques. New testing successfully isolated an unfamiliar male DNA profile from historical crime scene exhibits, confirming that the genetic material did not match the individual who was originally convicted of her murder decades prior.
A dedicated cold case investigation team has since been working in close partnership with the National Crime Agency (NCA) to identify the source of the genetic profile. Detectives have systematically reviewed the original case files, re-interviewed historical witnesses, and conducted extensive familial and comparative DNA testing. To date, investigators have successfully eliminated 575 men from their inquiries, with 32 individuals currently under active review.
Independent charity Crimestoppers continues to support the murder investigation by maintaining a reward of up to £20,000 for information submitted exclusively to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Diane’s death.
Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson of Merseyside Police stated:
“It’s unthinkable that 40 years on from Diane’s murder her killer has still not been brought to justice but I want her family, friends and the wider public to be reassured that we are doing everything in our powers to find that person. We have a dedicated investigation team who have been painstakingly reviewing the original investigation, re-interviewing witnesses, carrying out DNA tests and following up new information submitted by the public. We remain determined that Diane’s family get the answers they have waited so long for and that we get justice for Diane. Forty years is a long time but it is never too late for someone to do the right thing and come forward with any information they have which may help to assist our enquiries. In 1986 DNA was very much in the early stages and as such was not available to the detectives who originally investigated Diane’s death but her murder was fully investigated by the team. We believe the DNA profile will be key to finding the killer and to date have eliminated 575 people with 32 currently under review. It is also possible that someone could hold information about the identity of Diane’s killer but either through fear or a misplaced sense of loyalty has not yet come forward. To those people I would say please have the courage to tell us what you know.”
Detectives are appealing to former and current residents of Birkenhead, the Wirral, and Merseyside who may have suspected someone in August 1986, or who have heard admissions or discussions regarding the Borough Road alleyway attack over the past four decades, to step forward.
Information and footage can be submitted to Merseyside Police via the Major Incident Public Portal, on social media desks @MerPolCC on Facebook and X, or by telephoning 101.
To remain 100% anonymous and qualify for the £20,000 reward, information must be provided directly to Crimestoppers by calling freephone 0800 555 111 or submitting an online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
Image – Victim Appeal Photograph
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