The murder of 19-year-old Rebecca Hall, who was found dead in a Bradford
alleyway more than two months ago, was broadcast on BBC Crimewatch last night
(July 18). Can you help?
Full details below.
Thursday, July 5, 2001
RENEW APPEALS FOR HELP
The senior detective investigating the murder of Rebecca Hall has renewed his
appeal for help to the people of Bradford.
Becky, aged 19, was found dead in an alleyway behind the car park at Thornton
Street, Bradford, on April 26th. She died from severe head injuries and had
sustained a vicious and brutal beating.
She had not been seen since she left her home at Lydford House, Off Elizabeth
St, Little Horton in Bradford at about 10pm on April 13th.
Detective Ch Supt Max McLean said a full team of detectives, based at Bradford
Central Police Station, was still investigating Becky’s murder.
Officers have carried out approximately 1,500 lines of inquiry so far and taken
nearly 300 statements.
The investigation has also involved advice from forensic scientists, experts in
pathology and other scientific experts, as well as input from the National
Crime Faculty and the services of a criminal profiler.
Det Ch Supt McLean said Becky’s South Park watch (SEE PHOTO BELOW) was still
missing as well as her black flip-top Motorolla Startac mobile phone.
"I would appeal to anyone who has seen a watch or phone like Becky’s to come
forward," said Det Ch Supt McLean.
Throughout the course of the last three-and-a-half months, officers have spoken
to Becky’s friends and family and have interviewed many of her known punters,
as well as men suspected of attacks on other prostitutes.
"My team has focused on a large number of suspects over a very short period of
time," said Det Ch Supt McLean. "We have had very little information from the
public –I realise that this is probably due to the trade Becky worked in.
"I would like to remind people that Becky was a 19-year-old mother of a
four-month-old baby boy. She was Bradford born and bred and has a mum and dad
and sisters living in this city.
"I believe somebody local is out there who murdered this young Bradford girl
and we need to catch that person.
"To have been found naked and beaten to death in an alleyway is an awful way to
end a young life.
"I want to make sure that Becky’s son Jordan grows up knowing that we caught
his mum’s killer and I can only do that with the help of the people of
Bradford."
Det Ch Supt McLean appealed to anyone who knew Becky or had seen her between
Good Friday and April 26th to call police on their Freephone hotline.
Becky was 5'5" tall with a slim build. Her hair was dyed red and in a bobbed
style. When she was last seen she was wearing black leggings and purple sheer
top.
Anyone with any information should contact Police on the dedicated Freephone
number 0800 318 001.
Thursday, May 17
DISTINCTIVE WATCH APPEAL
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Officers investigating the murder of Rebecca Hall, whose body was found on
Thursday April 26th have established that she was wearing a distinctive limited
edition watch when she was last seen on Friday April 13th.
Becky, aged 19, was found dead in an alleyway behind the car park at Thornton
Street, Bradford, on April 26th.
After extensive enquiries by detectives they have discovered that she was
wearing a limited edition South Park watch which has not been recovered.
The watch features cartoon characters from South Park and has a black material
strap with the South Park logo on it and a velcro fastener. The face is also
surrounded by a silver dial. Only a limited number have been made and they are
only available from selected shops.
Officers have obtained a replica from the supplier, which is available to
photograph. Copies of a photograph are also available from Bradford Central
Police Station.
Becky was a working prostitute who frequented the Thornton Road area and it was
probable that was where she was heading towards when she left her home at
Lydford House, Off Elizabeth St, Little Horton in Bradford at about 10pm on
April 13th.
She died from severe head injuries and had sustained a vicious and brutal
beating.
Detective Ch Supt Max McLean continued to appeal to anyone who has seen a watch
matching the description in any circumstances to come forward.
"Do you know anyone who wears one of these watches or have you found a watch or
been sold a watch like it," he said. "Even if someone has innocently bought a
South Park watch or has been given one as a gift from someone it is important
they contact us in confidence."
He also urged anyone who had seen someone wearing a South Park watch of this
type to phone officers via the Freephone hotline.
"It may have been found or handed to someone but it could link back to Becky
and it is important that we trace her missing watch," said Det Ch Supt McLean.
Detectives, supported by incident room staff and forensic scientists, are
following many inquiries in their hunt for Becky's murderer. Posters appealing
for public information are also being circulated across the Bradford district
appealing for information about Becky and her last known whereabouts.
Becky was 5'5" tall with a slim build. Her hair was dyed red and in a bobbed
style. When she was last seen she was wearing black leggings and purple sheer
top.
Anyone with any information should contact Police on the dedicated Freephone
number 0800 318 001.
Monday, April 30, 2001
REBECCA KILLED AT DIFFERENT LOCATION?
Detectives investigating the death of Rebecca Hall, whose body was found on
Thursday April 26th are now investigating the theory that she was killed at a
different location to where she was found.
Det Chief Superintendent Max McLean, who is heading the investigation, said
early scientific evidence suggested that Becky, aged 19, was not killed in the
alleyway behind the car park at Thornton Street, Bradford.
Pathologists have also indicated that it was most likely that Becky was killed
only a few days before she was found. Therefore detectives are strongly
considering the theory that Becky was abducted and held somewhere before she
was killed and that her body was subsequently dumped in Thornton Street some
time around the 26th of April.
Becky leaves a four month old baby boy, Jordan and left her home at Lydford
House, Off Elizabeth St, Little Horton in Bradford at about 10pm on April 13th.
Rebecca was a working prostitute who frequented the Thornton Road area and it
was probable that was where she was heading towards on Good Friday. She died
from severe head injuries and had sustained a vicious and brutal beating.
Mr McLean continued to appeal to anyone who has seen Becky since Good Friday to
come forward. Nobody has reported any sightings of Becky to police.
Officers also appealed to anyone with any suspicions about where Becky may have
been held to come forward, particularly anyone who has seen someone matching
her description who they have not seen in their area before.
He continued to appeal for anyone who has seen Becky since Easter and anyone
who knew her to contact them on the dedicated Freephone number 0800 318 001.
She was 5'5" tall with a slim build. Her hair was dyed red and in a bobbed
style. When she was last seen she was wearing black leggings and purple sheer
top.
Friday, April 27, 2001
REBECCA HALL - INITIAL PRESS RELEASE
Police have now named the woman found yesterday (Thursday, April 26) just after
12.30pm down an alleyway off Thornton St in Bradford.
She was 19 year old Rebecca Victoria Hall, who leaves a four month old son,
Jordon. The post mortem yesterday revealed she died of severe head injuries and
that her body may have been there for up to three days.
Rebecca was a working prostitute who frequented the Thornton Road area.
Rebecca was last seen on Good Friday, 13th April by friends at 10pm. They
reported her missing later that evening when she didn't return home to her flat
at Lydford House in the Little Horton area of Brad.
Her parents say she was a very loving mother and protective towards her son,
and had not been missing before.
Det Chief Supt Max McLean, said: "Becky received a vicious and brutal beating
and we would appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
"We have set up a special free telephone line to encourage people to come
forward with information - 0800 318 001.
"This information will be treated in confidence."
She is described as 5'5" tall with slim build, hair was dyed red in a bobbed
style. When she was last seen she was wearing black leggings and a purple sheer
top.
Detectives confirmed they are checking local CCTV cameras for clues.
