Eastbourne seafront murder on BBC Crimewatch

The special TV appeal will see detectives from Sussex Police asking for more information about the murder of Jennifer Kiely, 35, who was killed 16 years ago in a seafront shelter near Holywell.

Detective superintendent Emma Heater from the Sussex Major Crime Team and Jennifer’s mother, Margaret Kiely, are appearing on the BBC1 Crimewatch Live programme at 11am.

In the early hours of January 22 2005 a fire was reported in a shelter on the lower promenade at Holywell on Eastbourne sea front.

Jennifer’s body was found in the shelter. She had suffered multiple stab wounds and her body had been set on fire.

The initial investigation only closed in May 2007. In 2009 the case was assessed and deferred for further assessment as there had been no new intelligence or other development.

However since 2011 it has been a live case while forensic reviews and further work have been commissioned. Since 2017 police have been working on the new forensic line of enquiry relating to unidentified DNA found at the scene.

A Sussex Police spokesperson said, “As a result of the further forensic evidence police now have the ability to eliminate people from the enquiry.