South London woman raped and murdered before Indian takeaway dumped over body
| Published date | 14 August 2022 |
| Publication title | MyLondon (England) |
Whilst 44 suspects were identified and eliminated from the original inquiry, including the Yorkshire Ripper, it was three strands of hair that were regarded as the most crucial piece of evidence. As they were rootless, forensic science in the 1970s was unable to determine a DNA profile but despite significant advances in modern day technology, her killer has still managed to evade justice.
READ MORE: Brutal unsolved murder of woman, 22, after killer sprayed 'ripper' on flat wall
What happened to Sally
At the time of her grizzly murder, Sally was working as a restaurant manager at the Young Vic theatre, and was living near the bus depot in Peckham. On November 30, she spent an evening visiting friends in Essex, before collecting an Indian takeaway and boarding her bus at New Cross.
During the early hours of December 1, it stopped at Clayton Road, its final destination for passengers, she disembarked and began the walk back to her home on Staffordshire Street. It is unclear what happened to Sally from then onwards, but at some point she met her attacker who brutally dragged her through a wire fence with such force that her leather boots were left behind.
She was then stripped naked, raped and beaten to death in a builder’s yard, which ironically was located behind the local police station. She suffered multiple broken ribs and a damaged spine, with detectives at the time stating that they believed she had been stamped on during the course of the attack.
Her body was discovered the following day by a worker, with her Indian takeaway strewn across her clothing and bloodstained bricks nearby. A murder investigation was launched, with the killer quickly dubbed ‘the Beast of Peckham’, but he was never captured nor brought to justice.
A bus conductress who was interviewed told police that she recalled seeing a white Ford Cortina with a dark patch of primer on one wing parked in the High Street nearby, and saw a man running from Staffordshire Street. In September 1991, a 55-year-old man was arrested and questioned in connection with the killing, but was soon released on bail without any charges being brought.
Connection to the Ripper
In 2013, retired police officer Chris Clark...
To continue reading
Request your trial