Hundreds back petition urging police to reopen Janet Muller case

Hundreds of people have urged police to reopen a case after a young woman was found dead in the boot of a burning car.
Janet MullerJanet Muller
Janet Muller

Janet Muller, 21, an Eastbourne student, was found in a burnt-out Volkswagen Jetta near Ifield Golf Club on March 13 last year.

Christopher Jeffrey-Shaw, 28, of Lakeside, Beckenham, will be sentenced for manslaughter today (Friday February 26) after he was found not guilty of her murder after a trial.

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More than 700 people have signed a petition by Morgan Fairbairn, of Peacehaven, who was on the same International Events Management course as Janet.

The petition alleged those involved with the killing had ‘got away with murder’.

She urged Sussex Police to reopen the case saying the force had received new leads which could lead to a murder conviction.

Janet’s family, after the trial at Guildford Crown Court, said: “We are not happy that the verdict is manslaughter; not murder. We are glad that the man responsible for Janet’s death will not walk free but nothing can erase the loss of Janet.”

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Detective Superintendent Adam Hibbert, head of Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: “Christopher Jeffrey-Shaw has been convicted of the manslaughter of Janet Muller following a six day trial at Guildford Crown Court. Following the conclusion of these judicial proceedings it is normal for us undertake an internal review of the investigation.

“I would like to reiterate what the senior investigating officer has already said in that any new information about the case would be reviewed and responded to accordingly. Our sympathies remain with Janet’s family at this difficult time.”

The petition: https://www.change.org/p/sussex-police-re-open-the-janet-muller-case

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