THE mother of a Sussex student murdered 20 years ago today pleaded for Argus readers to help find her killer.

As detectives reopened the inquiry into Jessie Earl's death her mother, Valerie, said: "Someone out there must know something.

"Please come forward and help the police. We need to know what happened to her, for everyone's sake. We want to let our daughter rest in peace."

Meanwhile, detectives today revealed Jessie's murder may be linked to others around Britain.

Det Chief Insp Steve Dennis, who is heading the new inquiry, said: "There are other murders around the UK that occurred in very similar circumstances and we are looking at a possible link."

Scientists at the National Crime Faculty at Bramshill, Hampshire, are currently checking for matches.

Police have set up an incident room at Eastbourne police station. They are tracing former police officers who worked on the case and student friends of Jessie.

The 22-year-old's skeletal remains were found in thick undergrowth near Beachy Head in 1989, nine years after she disappeared.

The art student may have been naked when she died. Her knotted bra was found close to the body and police said it may have been used to tie her hands.

An open verdict was recorded at an inquest that year, even though coroner David Wadman said evidence pointed towards an unnatural cause of death. He said there was nothing to suggest she had committed suicide.

Her parents and the police are convinced she was murdered.

Detectives are now reviewing the evidence and clothes Jessie wore prior to her disappearance may yield DNA clues to suspects. Police admit they are "not happy" with one or two people connected to the case.

Jessie, who had been studying screen printing at Eastbourne College of Art, disappeared from her bedsit in Upperton Road, Eastbourne, in May 1980.

Her detailed diaries gave no hint of suicidal tendencies.

Valerie Earl, a 67-year-old former yoga teacher, said not a day had passed when she had not thought of her daughter.

She vividly remembers the day she discovered Jessie had disappeared.

"She was supposed to come home and when she didn't show, I got on a train and went to Eastbourne.

"I went into her room. The window was open and the curtains were fluttering. It was like she was in the next room but there was no sign of her."

Mrs Earl, who lives with her husband, John, in Eltham, London, said: "I am amazed and very pleased police are doing this now. I can't stress how understanding police have been. We have never thought this was over and I still believe one day we will know what happened."

Anyone with information should call police on 01323 414043.

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