This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/8196630.stm

The article has changed 12 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 5 Version 6
Body exhumed in 1979 murder probe Body exhumed in 1979 murder probe
(10 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 male suspect.
Officers carried out the exhumation at Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth to obtain "further DNA evidence".Officers carried out the exhumation at Kingston Cemetery in Portsmouth 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.
Sean Hodgson, 57, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.Sean Hodgson, 57, of County Durham, spent 27 years in jail for the murder before his conviction was quashed.
Det Ch Insp Phil McTavish said the latest suspect, who took his own life in 1988, made the admissions while in custody on unrelated matters.Det Ch Insp Phil McTavish said the latest 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.
Det Chf Insp Phil McTavish explains why the body was exhumedDet Chf Insp Phil McTavish explains why the body was exhumed
"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."
Police said that the suspect made the admissions 18 months after Mr Hodgson was jailed and appeared to have no previous link to Miss De Simone.Police said that the suspect made the admissions 18 months after Mr Hodgson was jailed and appeared to have no previous link to Miss De Simone.
'Partially-clothed body''Partially-clothed body'
The BBC has learned that the crucial breakthrough in the investigation came when scientists found that the DNA profile of the likely killer - obtained from semen found on the victim - partially matched a DNA profile on the national database.The BBC has learned that the crucial breakthrough in the investigation came when scientists found that the DNA profile of the likely killer - obtained from semen found on the victim - partially matched a DNA profile on the national database.
Scientists put the name of this database profile to police, who discovered that it was a sibling of a possible suspect.Scientists put the name of this database profile to police, who discovered that it was a sibling of a possible suspect.
But because he was dead, a sample was taken from another sibling - who was not on the database - to help confirm the match in a process called familial searching.But because he was dead, a sample was taken from another sibling - who was not on the database - to help confirm the match in a process called familial searching.
Tests could take up to six weeks to complete.Tests could take up to six weeks to complete.
Mr McTavish said: "We have very strong scientific and evidential support for this exhumation.Mr McTavish said: "We have very strong scientific and evidential support for this exhumation.
"However, only DNA testing can confirm or refute our suspicions.""However, only DNA testing can confirm or refute our suspicions."
Mr Hodgson (l) said he felt "ecstatic" at being releasedMr 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.
Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone but pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.Mr Hodgson confessed at the time of the original inquiry to killing Miss De Simone but pleaded not guilty at his 1982 trial at Winchester Crown Court, where his defence team said he was a pathological liar.
He was released in March after DNA from the scene was re-examined and proved not to be his.He was released in March after DNA from the scene was re-examined and proved not to be his.
Mr Hodgson's lawyer Julian Young said his client had been very ill in a respite home and had not commented on developments.Mr Hodgson's lawyer Julian Young said his client had been very ill in a respite home and had not commented on developments.
He said: "I did not know seven people made admissions.He said: "I did not know seven people made admissions.
"I would like to ask why Mr Hodgson's legal team or the Court of Appeal was not informed. It would have been highly relevant evidence.""I would like to ask why Mr Hodgson's legal team or the Court of Appeal was not informed. It would have been highly relevant evidence."
Hampshire Constabulary said this was only the second time a suspect in an historic murder inquiry has been exhumed.Hampshire Constabulary said this was only the second time a suspect in an historic murder inquiry has been exhumed.