Julie Finley Murder Appeal: Family Died Waiting for Justice, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• The murder victim, Julie Finley, was 23 years old when she disappeared from Liverpool city centre on Friday 5 August 1994.
• Her body was discovered in a field near the Wheatsheaf Hotel, off the A570 Rainford Bypass, by a passing cyclist at around 1.30pm on the day after she went missing.
• Forensic tests revealed that she had been strangled.
• Neither her father Albie Finley nor her sister were able to see the killer brought to justice during their lifetimes.
• Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Sam Davies stated that the inquiry is still open and that progress in the scientific approach to forensics, such as DNA testing, will be taken into account.
• Crimestoppers has doubled its reward to £20,000 for exclusive information leading to the arrest and conviction of someone in connection with the crime.
• Police are looking for the woman referred to as “Tina”, who came forward to speak to the police immediately after the murder but then went silent.
• Julie Finley was last seen in conversation with an unidentified man aged in his 20s or 30s at around 10.30pm in Pembroke Place, behind the former Royal Liverpool Hospital.
• Police are also searching for a white van with a male driver.

Liverpool (Liverpool standard) October 21, 2026 — The father and sister of murdered Liverpool woman Julie Finley died without ever learning who was responsible for her death, as Merseyside Police renew a national appeal 32 years after the 23-year-old was strangled.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Julie Finley was 23 when she disappeared from Liverpool city centre on Friday, August 5, 1994. Her body was discovered the next day in a field off the Rainford Bypass, close to the Wheatsheaf Hotel on the A570. She had been strangled, and no one has ever been prosecuted for her murder.

The case remains one of Merseyside’s most notorious unsolved killings. Detectives have now appeared on BBC Crimewatch Live to appeal for new information, while Crimestoppers has raised its reward to £20,000 for information provided exclusively to the charity that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Why Are Police Appealing Again?

Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Sam Davies said it was “unfathomable” that Julie’s killer remained at large more than three decades after her death. As reported by WalesOnline and the Daily Record, she said it was “heartbreaking” that Julie’s sister and father had both died during that time without receiving the answers they sought.

“Julie’s family deserve to know that her killer has been caught and is behind bars,”

Detective Inspector Davies said, according to the Daily Record.

The force said it would pursue any new lines of enquiry and consider advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis. The BBC reported that Merseyside Police retested forensic evidence in 2005 in the hope that developments in DNA technology would identify a suspect, but no arrests have been made in the 20 years since.

What Happened To Julie Finley?

Julie Finley had visited her parents at their home in Dovecot on August 5, 1994, shortly after celebrating her 23rd birthday. According to the Liverpool Echo, she left at around 5.30pm and travelled into Liverpool before going to the flat she shared with her boyfriend on Huskisson Street in the city centre.

She was last seen at about 10.30pm on Pembroke Place, behind what was then the Royal Liverpool Hospital, talking to a man described as white and believed to be aged in his 20s or 30s. The BBC reported that the man has never been traced.

Her naked body was found by a cyclist at around 1.30pm on August 6 in a carrot field off the A570 Rainford Bypass, near the Wheatsheaf Hotel. The BBC reported that she had been strangled at some point between the night of August 5 and the following lunchtime, and that little effort had been made to conceal her remains.

Who Was Julie Finley?

Julie Finley was from Liverpool and was described by her mother, Patricia Finley, as a much-loved daughter and sister. In a family tribute reported by the Daily Record, Patricia said Julie had been the “perfect daughter” while growing up and had studied hairdressing at college.

The BBC reported that Julie had struggled with a heroin addiction and that her weight had dropped to about six stone, or 38.1kg, by the time she disappeared.

Patricia Finley said: “Julie was only 23 when her life was tragically cut short. She was my second oldest child and growing up she was the perfect daughter.”

She added that 32 years had passed without justice for Julie and that her husband, Albie, had died without seeing anyone held accountable. “He died with a broken heart,” she said, according to the Daily Record.

Why Is The ‘Tina’ Appeal Important?

Detectives are particularly keen to trace a woman known as “Tina”, who could hold information relevant to the case. The Liverpool Echo reported that Tina spoke to officers in the aftermath of the murder and promised to get back in touch, but was not heard from again.

The appeal for Tina forms part of a renewed effort to identify witnesses who may have information they have not previously shared with police. The BBC reported that Merseyside Police are urging anyone who may have kept quiet in the past to come forward.

Detective Inspector Davies urged anyone who believed they saw Julie that evening, had information about the man she was seen with on Crown Street, or knew who was operating a white van to contact investigators.

What Do Police Know About The Suspect And Van?

Police have not identified Julie’s killer. However, investigators continue to seek information about a white van and its driver, which they believe may be connected to the case.

The BBC reported that Julie was last seen talking to a man near the Royal Liverpool Hospital, while separate reporting has described a D-reg Ford Transit van being spotted near the scene. The Mirror reported that a witness claimed to have seen a young woman arguing with a man at about 12.30am on August 6 outside the Wheatsheaf pub, close to where her body was later found.

These details have not resulted in a prosecution. The Liverpool World reported that, despite numerous appeals over the decades, 20 people had been arrested and questioned in connection with the murder, but no one was charged.

Has Anyone Been Linked To The Case?

The Mirror has reported that double killer Christopher Halliwell was viewed by a former detective who worked on the case as someone who should be treated as a potential suspect. The newspaper reported that former Acting Detective Sergeant Ian Clarke believed Halliwell should be questioned over Julie’s murder.

According to the Mirror, Halliwell was living in Aughton, about five miles from the field where Julie’s body was found, at the time of the murder. The newspaper also reported that he worked as a window fitter and drove a D-reg white Transit van similar to one reportedly spotted near the scene.

The Mirror further reported that Halliwell is serving a whole-life sentence for the murders of Becky Godden-Edwards, 20, and Sian O’Callaghan, 22.

These reports do not establish that Halliwell murdered Julie Finley, and Merseyside Police has not announced any charge or identification of a suspect. The force has said the case remains under review and that it will liaise with other forces where appropriate.

What Reward Is Being Offered?

Crimestoppers, the independent charity, has increased its reward to £20,000 for information given exclusively to the organisation that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Julie’s death.

The charity previously offered a £10,000 reward in 2021, on what would have been Julie’s 50th birthday, according to reporting carried by Inkl citing earlier local coverage.

Crimestoppers allows people to pass on information anonymously. The current reward applies specifically to information that results in an arrest and conviction.

How Long Has The Case Remained Unsolved?

Julie Finley was murdered in August 1994. The renewed appeal in 2026 marks 32 years since her death, during which time no one has been charged with her murder.

Merseyside Police has conducted extensive enquiries over the past three decades, including interviewing numerous potential witnesses and reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, according to reporting by WalesOnline and the Daily Record.

The BBC reported that the case has been subject to previous media appeals, Crimewatch reconstructions and offers of cash rewards, but none has led to a prosecution.

Background Of The Development

Julie Finley’s murder occurred at a time when Liverpool city centre was the focus of a major police investigation after her disappearance on August 5, 1994. Her body was found the following day in a field near Rainford, in St Helens, close to the boundary with Lancashire.

The investigation has spanned multiple decades and has involved forensic retesting, witness appeals, CCTV reviews and repeated public appeals. The BBC reported that forensic evidence was retested in 2005 as DNA technology advanced, but the retest did not lead to an arrest.

The case has also been the subject of wider media attention. The Mirror reported in 2019 and 2022 that Christopher Halliwell had been linked in reporting to the case through witness accounts and circumstantial details, although no charge followed.

Merseyside Police has previously said the case is subject to biennial reviews, which take account of developments in forensic technology, and that it will continue to work with other forces where appropriate.

How Could This Development Affect The Family And Public?

For Julie Finley’s surviving family, the renewed appeal represents another opportunity for someone with information to come forward. Her mother, Patricia Finley, has said the family has waited too long to find out who killed Julie, according to the Daily Record.

For witnesses who may have remained silent, the increased £20,000 Crimestoppers reward and the national television appeal may encourage them to contact the charity anonymously. Detective Inspector Davies said the investigation remains active and that police will follow up new lines of enquiry.

For the wider Liverpool and Merseyside community, the appeal is a reminder that unsolved homicide investigations can remain open for decades. The force’s reference to advances in DNA analysis indicates that technological developments may still play a role in reviewing evidence, although police have not said that a new forensic breakthrough has been identified.

Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers. The charity’s £20,000 reward is available for information given exclusively to Crimestoppers that leads directly to an arrest and conviction.

Sources

Key Points

• Julie Finley was 23 when she was murdered after disappearing from Liverpool city centre on Friday, August 5, 1994.
• Her body was found by a cyclist at about 1.30pm the following day in a field off the A570 Rainford Bypass, near the Wheatsheaf Hotel.
• A post-mortem examination established that she had been strangled.
• Her father, Albie Finley, and her sister died without seeing anyone prosecuted for her killing.
• Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Sam Davies said the investigation remains active and that advances in forensic work, including DNA analysis, will be considered.
• Crimestoppers has increased its reward to £20,000 for information given exclusively to the charity that leads directly to an arrest and conviction.
• Detectives are appealing for a woman known as “Tina”, who spoke to officers after the murder but was not heard from again.
• Julie was last seen at about 10.30pm on Pembroke Place, behind the former Royal Liverpool Hospital, talking to an unidentified man believed to be aged in his 20s or 30s.
• Police are also seeking information about a white van and its driver.
• No one has ever been charged with Julie Finley’s murder, although reports have said 20 people were arrested and questioned over the years.

Liverpool, Merseyside, October 21, 2026 — The father and sister of murdered Liverpool woman Julie Finley died without ever learning who was responsible for her death, as Merseyside Police renew a national appeal 32 years after the 23-year-old was strangled.

As reported by the Liverpool Echo, Julie Finley was 23 when she disappeared from Liverpool city centre on Friday, August 5, 1994. Her body was discovered the next day in a field off the Rainford Bypass, close to the Wheatsheaf Hotel on the A570. She had been strangled, and no one has ever been prosecuted for her murder.

The case remains one of Merseyside’s most notorious unsolved killings. Detectives have now appeared on BBC Crimewatch Live to appeal for new information, while Crimestoppers has raised its reward to £20,000 for information provided exclusively to the charity that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

Why Are Police Appealing Again?

Merseyside Police Detective Inspector Sam Davies said it was “unfathomable” that Julie’s killer remained at large more than three decades after her death. As reported by WalesOnline and the Daily Record, she said it was “heartbreaking” that Julie’s sister and father had both died during that time without receiving the answers they sought.

“Julie’s family deserve to know that her killer has been caught and is behind bars,” Detective Inspector Davies said, according to the Daily Record.

The force said it would pursue any new lines of enquiry and consider advances in forensic science, including DNA analysis. The BBC reported that Merseyside Police retested forensic evidence in 2005 in the hope that developments in DNA technology would identify a suspect, but no arrests have been made in the 20 years since.

What Happened To Julie Finley?

Julie Finley had visited her parents at their home in Dovecot on August 5, 1994, shortly after celebrating her 23rd birthday. According to the Liverpool Echo, she left at around 5.30pm and travelled into Liverpool before going to the flat she shared with her boyfriend on Huskisson Street in the city centre.

She was last seen at about 10.30pm on Pembroke Place, behind what was then the Royal Liverpool Hospital, talking to a man described as white and believed to be aged in his 20s or 30s. The BBC reported that the man has never been traced.

Her naked body was found by a cyclist at around 1.30pm on August 6 in a carrot field off the A570 Rainford Bypass, near the Wheatsheaf Hotel. The BBC reported that she had been strangled at some point between the night of August 5 and the following lunchtime, and that little effort had been made to conceal her remains.

Who Was Julie Finley?

Julie Finley was from Liverpool and was described by her mother, Patricia Finley, as a much-loved daughter and sister. In a family tribute reported by the Daily Record, Patricia said Julie had been the “perfect daughter” while growing up and had studied hairdressing at college.

The BBC reported that Julie had struggled with a heroin addiction and that her weight had dropped to about six stone, or 38.1kg, by the time she disappeared.

Patricia Finley said:

“Julie was only 23 when her life was tragically cut short. She was my second oldest child and growing up she was the perfect daughter.”

She added that 32 years had passed without justice for Julie and that her husband, Albie, had died without seeing anyone held accountable. “He died with a broken heart,” she said, according to the Daily Record.

Why Is The ‘Tina’ Appeal Important?

Detectives are particularly keen to trace a woman known as “Tina”, who could hold information relevant to the case. The Liverpool Echo reported that Tina spoke to officers in the aftermath of the murder and promised to get back in touch, but was not heard from again.

The appeal for Tina forms part of a renewed effort to identify witnesses who may have information they have not previously shared with police. The BBC reported that Merseyside Police are urging anyone who may have kept quiet in the past to come forward.

Detective Inspector Davies urged anyone who believed they saw Julie that evening, had information about the man she was seen with on Crown Street, or knew who was operating a white van to contact investigators.

What Do Police Know About The Suspect And Van?

Police have not identified Julie’s killer. However, investigators continue to seek information about a white van and its driver, which they believe may be connected to the case.

The BBC reported that Julie was last seen talking to a man near the Royal Liverpool Hospital, while separate reporting has described a D-reg Ford Transit van being spotted near the scene. The Mirror reported that a witness claimed to have seen a young woman arguing with a man at about 12.30am on August 6 outside the Wheatsheaf pub, close to where her body was later found.

These details have not resulted in a prosecution. The Liverpool World reported that, despite numerous appeals over the decades, 20 people had been arrested and questioned in connection with the murder, but no one was charged.

Has Anyone Been Linked To The Case?

The Mirror has reported that double killer Christopher Halliwell was viewed by a former detective who worked on the case as someone who should be treated as a potential suspect. The newspaper reported that former Acting Detective Sergeant Ian Clarke believed Halliwell should be questioned over Julie’s murder.

According to the Mirror, Halliwell was living in Aughton, about five miles from the field where Julie’s body was found, at the time of the murder. The newspaper also reported that he worked as a window fitter and drove a D-reg white Transit van similar to one reportedly spotted near the scene.

The Mirror further reported that Halliwell is serving a whole-life sentence for the murders of Becky Godden-Edwards, 20, and Sian O’Callaghan, 22.

These reports do not establish that Halliwell murdered Julie Finley, and Merseyside Police has not announced any charge or identification of a suspect. The force has said the case remains under review and that it will liaise with other forces where appropriate.

What Reward Is Being Offered?

Crimestoppers, the independent charity, has increased its reward to £20,000 for information given exclusively to the organisation that leads directly to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Julie’s death.

The charity previously offered a £10,000 reward in 2021, on what would have been Julie’s 50th birthday, according to reporting carried by Inkl citing earlier local coverage.

Crimestoppers allows people to pass on information anonymously. The current reward applies specifically to information that results in an arrest and conviction.

How Long Has The Case Remained Unsolved?

Julie Finley was murdered in August 1994. The renewed appeal in 2026 marks 32 years since her death, during which time no one has been charged with her murder.

Merseyside Police has conducted extensive enquiries over the past three decades, including interviewing numerous potential witnesses and reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV footage, according to reporting by WalesOnline and the Daily Record.

The BBC reported that the case has been subject to previous media appeals, Crimewatch reconstructions and offers of cash rewards, but none has led to a prosecution.

Background Of The Development

Julie Finley’s murder occurred at a time when Liverpool city centre was the focus of a major police investigation after her disappearance on August 5, 1994. Her body was found the following day in a field near Rainford, in St Helens, close to the boundary with Lancashire.

The investigation has spanned multiple decades and has involved forensic retesting, witness appeals, CCTV reviews and repeated public appeals. The BBC reported that forensic evidence was retested in 2005 as DNA technology advanced, but the retest did not lead to an arrest.

The case has also been the subject of wider media attention. The Mirror reported in 2019 and 2022 that Christopher Halliwell had been linked in reporting to the case through witness accounts and circumstantial details, although no charge followed.

Merseyside Police has previously said the case is subject to biennial reviews, which take account of developments in forensic technology, and that it will continue to work with other forces where appropriate.

How Could This Development Affect The Family And Public?

For Julie Finley’s surviving family, the renewed appeal represents another opportunity for someone with information to come forward. Her mother, Patricia Finley, has said the family has waited too long to find out who killed Julie, according to the Daily Record.

For witnesses who may have remained silent, the increased £20,000 Crimestoppers reward and the national television appeal may encourage them to contact the charity anonymously. Detective Inspector Davies said the investigation remains active and that police will follow up new lines of enquiry.

For the wider Liverpool and Merseyside community, the appeal is a reminder that unsolved homicide investigations can remain open for decades. The force’s reference to advances in DNA analysis indicates that technological developments may still play a role in reviewing evidence, although police have not said that a new forensic breakthrough has been identified.

Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police or pass information anonymously to Crimestoppers. The charity’s £20,000 reward is available for information given exclusively to Crimestoppers that leads directly to an arrest and conviction.