Fresh appeal over St Helens murder 30 years on
Julie Finley, 23, was strangled and her body dumped near Rainford in 1994
Last updated 9th Aug 2026
People with information about the murder of a woman 32 years ago may not have come forward at the time out of “loyalty or fear”, police have said.
Julie Finley, 23, was strangled and her naked body was dumped in a carrot field near the Rainford bypass, north-west of St Helens in Merseyside in 1994.
A cyclist discovered her body at lunchtime on August 6 after she was last seen alive at about 11 o’clock the night before at the back of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital talking to an unknown white man of average height and build and aged in his 20s or 30s.
More than three decades on, Merseyside Police have launched a fresh appeal for information about her death.
Detective Inspector Sam Davies from the major incident team said: “It is 32 years since Julie was murdered but the investigation into her death remains ongoing.
“We know that back in 1994 people may have had information about Julie’s death which, either through loyalty or fear, they didn’t bring to our attention.
“My message would be it is never too late to do the right thing and tell us what you know, no matter how small. One piece of information could be key to solving the case and bringing the person responsible to justice.”
A witness at the time said he saw a young woman matching the victim’s description arguing with a man at about 12.30am on August 6 outside the Wheatsheaf public house in Rainford, just 50 yards from where Miss Finley’s body was found later that day.
The unknown man was reportedly attempting to force the young woman into a white transit van, police said.
In 2014, Miss Finley’s elderly parents released a set of photographs from her childhood in a bid to shake someone’s conscience and provide new information.
At that time, Miss Finley’s mother said: “Albie and I have been put through 20 years of hell and torment and Julie’s sudden and tragic loss has affected the whole family.
“It’s difficult to explain what the last 20 years have been like, but for me I still feel like it’s 1994 and I’m constantly waiting for Julie to come through the door, but she never does and never will.”
Police have said they “remain committed” to helping Miss Finley’s family get justice.
Anyone with information about her death has been asked to message @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555 111.