INVESTIGATORS are no closer to solving the cold case murder of Islington prostitute Cheryl Burchell after a DNA sample provided by a suspect did not match DNA found on the victim’s bra.
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A Newcastle man was ordered by a magistrate last month to provide a DNA sample after forensic officers extracted male DNA from the bra using a new technique.
The suspect’s sample did not match and he now joins a list of men who have been tested and cleared this year.
Ms Burchell, 28, was found dead on the banks of Throsby Creek, Carrington, by schoolboys on the morning of April 23, 1987.
Her murder chilled the Newcastle sex industry.
She suffered multiple stab wounds and was strangled with her bra, which was found tied around her neck.
The DNA was extracted from skin cells that were found near the knot, Newcastle Local Court previously heard.
Ms Burchell was known to work the Islington strip and was last seen on Maitland Road between 10pm and 10.30pm the night before her body was found.
Investigators believe Ms Burchell knew her killer and a $50,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction still stands.
The most recent suspect was a drug dealer labelled by some prostitutes on the strip as ‘‘the bagsnatcher’’.
He denied having any involvement in Ms Burchell’s murder and provided an alibi for the night in question.
He agreed to provide a DNA sample in February, but backed out over fears that his DNA may have got on Ms Burchell’s bra because he was losing his hair at the time of the murder and Ms Burchell had visited his home.