THE body of a young girl was found at a train station with the culprit of the crime never identified.
When a fire was reported at Burley Railway station, the crews attending the scene did not expect to discover the charred remains of a girl reported missing some ten days earlier.
Deborah Wood was a 20-year-old factory worker from Leeds.
She lived in the Holbeck area of the West Yorkshire city.
Deborah was last seen leaving Big Lil’s Public House in Leeds city centre around 5pm on January 4, 1996.
She had been socialising with her father and some friends.
Her father left her at the pub in the afternoon and was never to see his daughter again.
After Deborah left the pub, she completely disappeared until a dark discovery by fire crews ten days later.
A blaze was reported at Burley Railway Station which was attended by fire crews, who went on to find the body of a young girl.
Her body was so badly burned that she was only identifiable through dental records and DNA.
In January 2021, police launched a fresh appeal to find Deborah's killer.
Detective Inspector Paul Conroy of West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Recall team said: "This crime may now be 25 years old but time doesn’t diminish our resolve to bring the person or persons responsible for this horrendous crime to justice.
"And likewise her grieving family want answers about what happened to Deborah.
"I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this case to examine the conscience and come forward – your information could make all the difference.
"Deborah was given no dignity in death with her body being burned to the extent that she was only identified using dental records and DNA.
"Previous attempts to bring her killer to justice, including an appeal and reconstruction on BBC Crimewatch, have so far failed.
"Hopefully, with the passage of time, people may feel more comfortable or able to come forward and tell us what happened.
"As with all unsolved murder enquiries the case remains under investigation and a thorough forensic review remains ongoing."
He urged anyone with information to "examine their conscience".
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