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Body exhumed in 1979 murder probe Body exhumed in 1979 murder probe
(30 minutes later)
Police investigating the murder of a woman in Southampton 30 years ago have exhumed the body of a suspect.Police investigating the murder of a woman in Southampton 30 years ago have exhumed the body of a suspect.
Specialist officers carried out the exhumation of the man's body at Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth in order to obtain "further DNA evidence".Specialist officers carried out the exhumation of the man's body at Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth in order to obtain "further DNA evidence".
The body of Teresa De Simone, 22, was found in her car at the pub where she worked part-time in December 1979. She had been raped and strangled.The body of Teresa De Simone, 22, was found in her car at the pub where she worked part-time in December 1979. She had been raped and strangled.
Police said that the man was one of seven men who made admissions.Police said that the man was one of seven men who made admissions.
Conviction quashed
Det Chf Insp Phil McTavish said that the suspect, who took his own life in 1988, made the admissions while in custody on unrelated matters.Det Chf Insp Phil McTavish said that the suspect, who took his own life in 1988, made the admissions while in custody on unrelated matters.
He said: "Although we will not confirm the suspect's identity, we can tell you he was a young man at the time, and he did not come from Southampton.He said: "Although we will not confirm the suspect's identity, we can tell you he was a young man at the time, and he did not come from Southampton.
"He did not feature in the original murder investigation of 1979."He did not feature in the original murder investigation of 1979.
The body of the male suspect was exhumed from Kingston CemeteryThe body of the male suspect was exhumed from Kingston Cemetery
"We have established that this suspect was one of seven men who made admissions.""We have established that this suspect was one of seven men who made admissions."
Sean Hodgson, 57, spent 27 years in jail for the murder but his conviction was quashed in March.Sean Hodgson, 57, spent 27 years in jail for the murder but his conviction was quashed in March.
Mr Hodgson, originally from County Durham, was released after DNA found at the scene of the murder was re-examined and proved not to be his.Mr Hodgson, originally from County Durham, was released after DNA found at the scene of the murder was re-examined and proved not to be his.
Police said that the suspect made the admissions 18 months after Mr Hodgson was convicted. Police said that the suspect made the admissions 18 months after Mr Hodgson was jailed.
Investigators, who confirmed they had a new suspect on Tuesday, said the development was the result of research, coupled with the DNA screening of more than 100 people since March. Police said that the suspect appeared to have no previous link to Miss De Simone.
Partially-clothed body 'Partially-clothed body'
A police spokesman said: "Whilst further work is currently ongoing in order to maximise the DNA evidence with the FSS (Forensic Science Service), the enquiry team are confident that they are on the right track and may solve this 30-year-old murder case." Mr McTavish said: "We have very strong scientific and evidential support for this exhumation.
"However, only DNA testing can confirm or refute our suspicions."
Tests by the Forensic Science Service could take between five and six weeks to complete.
Mr Hodgson (l) said he felt "ecstatic" at being released
Miss De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub, where she worked part-time. She was also employed with the local gas board.Miss De Simone's partially-clothed body was found in the back seat of her Ford Escort in a car park beneath the Tom Tackle pub, where she worked part-time. She was also employed with the local gas board.
After her murder, officers took 2,500 statements, traced 500 people who were in the area of the murder at the time and had up to 300 suspects.
But police admitted in March they faced a tough task to sift through the original case for fresh leads because of missing paperwork.
Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone.Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone.
But he pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.But he pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.
The Ministry of Justice said it was "very rare" for bodies to be exhumed for the purposes of solving or investigating crimes.