Police have issued a fresh appeal for information about the murder of a young woman 32 years ago.

Julie Finley, 23, was strangled and dumped outside Liverpool on 6 August 1994.

A cyclist discovered her naked body in a carrot field near the Rainford bypass, north-west of St Helens, around midday.

Ms Finley had last been seen alive the night before, about 11pm, at the back of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

She had been talking to an unknown white man, aged in his 20s or 30s, of average height and build.

Merseyside Police said that people with information about Ms Finley’s murder may not have come forward at the time out of “loyalty or fear”.

Julie Finley’s mother earlier said that she feels like she is ‘constantly waiting’ for her daughter to come through the dooropen image in gallery
Julie Finley’s mother earlier said that she feels like she is ‘constantly waiting’ for her daughter to come through the door (PA)

Detective Inspector Sam Davies said: “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 that he saw a young woman matching Ms Finley’s description arguing with a man about 12.30am on 6 August outside the Wheatsheaf pub in Rainford.

That is just 50 yards from where Ms Finley’s body was found about 12 hours later.

The unknown man was reportedly attempting to force the young woman into a white transit van, police said.

In 2014, Ms 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, Ms 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 Ms 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.

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