Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Killings lead to family reunions

Thursday 17 March 1994 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

MORE THAN 80 families have been contacted by missing female relatives to say they are safe and well as a result of the Gloucester murder inquiry, police said yesterday.

Family ties were rebuilt after a national appeal by the Missing Persons Bureau following a much publicised tearful reunion between one missing girl and her family.

Uncertainty over the identities of the remains of nine women and girls found at the house in Cromwell Street has led to the reopening of many missing person files.

Chief Inspector Colin Handy, of Gloucestershire Police, said 86 people had been located and it demonstrated 'that good can come from an incident like this. It counterbalances the bad side of this story'.

Five were highlighted in the inquiry. They were all friends of Shirley Robinson, one of the murder victims. Detectives traced them to ensure they were all still alive, and put in touch with their families.

Digging was continuing in the cellar at 25 Cromwell Street yesterday and work was going ahead on the internal fabric of the extension. Frederick West, 52, a builder, is accused of eight murders.

Meanwhile, a helpline for people with worries resulting from the murders was opened yesterday by the Victim Support Service in Gloucester. The number is 0452 411724.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in