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Did Suffolk Strangler kill my daughter too? Dad begs cops to quiz serial killer over teen daughter’s unsolved murder

2021-08-11 00:00:00.0 太阳报-英国新闻原网页

A DAD has called for police to quiz Suffolk Strangler serial killer Steve Wright about the unsolved murder of his daughter 19 years ago.

John Bettles, 65, made his demand after Wright, 63, was arrested last month on suspicion of the murder of strangled schoolgirl Vicky Hall in 1999.

Michelle Bettles, 22, of Norwich, Norfolk, who was found strangled in 2002 Credit: East Anglia News Service 4

Suffolk Stranger Steve Wright should be questioned over Michelle's death, her dad believes Credit: Handout

His daughter Michelle Bettles, 22, was strangled in March 2002 with her body dumped in woodland around 20 miles from the red-light area where she was a sex worker in Norwich, Norfolk.

She was known to have been a regular at the former Ferry Boat Inn pub in Norwich where Wright had been a landlord in the late 1980s.

Mr Bettles who lives in Lincolnshire said: “Definitely, I think he should be looked at again."

He told the Eastern Daily Press: “I do know the Ferry Boat where he used to be and know Michelle went in there a few times.

DAD'S AGONY

“Police say he wasn't active at the time in Norwich, but unless he was locked up or in hospital, as far as I'm concerned, he was active.

“There's nothing to stop anyone driving into Norwich just as I do. I think at the time they (the police) were running around like headless chickens."

It comes after the family of Suzy Lamplugh, who vanished 35 years ago, also pleaded with police to question Wright.

Forklift driver Wright who was a former QE2 steward murdered five sex workers in a five-week killing spree in late 2006 in Ipswich, Suffolk.

Definitely, I think he should be looked at again

John Bettles

He was given a whole life sentence after being convicted of the five murders in 2008.

Wright was arrested on July 28 at Long Lartin prison in Worcestershire over the murder in September 1999 of Vicky, 17, who lived with her parents in Trimley St Mary, Suffolk.

He was released under investigation the next day and was returned to prison.

Vicky disappeared while walking home from a night out in Felixstowe and her naked body was found five days later dumped in a water-filled ditch 25 miles away.

POLICE APPEAL

Mr Bettles said he still hoped that his daughter’s killer would be brought to justice.

He said: “There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think about Michelle."

Earlier this week, the brother of missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh also demanded that Wright be quizzed over her case.

Suzy was aged 25 when she disappeared in London in 1986 after going to meet a mysterious Mr Kipper.

Wright was reportedly known to have been infatuated with her when they worked together in the early 1980s on the QE2.

A spokesman for Norfolk Police said: “There is currently no evidence to suggest that there is any connection between the murder of Michelle Bettles and the convicted murderer Steve Wright.

“We continue to keep an open mind and would ask anyone with new information to help us solve this murder.

“We understand that at the time people may not have been able to come forward but circumstances can change over time."