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/london/7012078.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
DNA link found in 1975 killings DNA link found in 1975 killings
(about 5 hours later)
A DNA link has been found in the unsolved murders of two young women more than 30 years ago.A DNA link has been found in the unsolved murders of two young women more than 30 years ago.
Eve Stratford, 22, was stabbed to death in Leyton, east London, in 1975. Lynne Weedon, 16, was raped and killed in Hounslow, west London, later that year.Eve Stratford, 22, was stabbed to death in Leyton, east London, in 1975. Lynne Weedon, 16, was raped and killed in Hounslow, west London, later that year.
No-one was charged with either murder, but detectives re-examining the cases found the same DNA on both victims.No-one was charged with either murder, but detectives re-examining the cases found the same DNA on both victims.
Det Ch Insp Andy Mortimer said: "We believe the killer could have confided in someone over the years."Det Ch Insp Andy Mortimer said: "We believe the killer could have confided in someone over the years."
Forensic advances
Miss Stratford, who worked as a club waitress or "bunny girl", was last seen walking home in March 1975.Miss Stratford, who worked as a club waitress or "bunny girl", was last seen walking home in March 1975.
Later that day a neighbour heard a conversation between a man and woman coming from her flat, followed by a loud thud. Miss Stratford was found tied up with her throat cut.Later that day a neighbour heard a conversation between a man and woman coming from her flat, followed by a loud thud. Miss Stratford was found tied up with her throat cut.
Forensic advances
In September that year schoolgirl Lynne Weedon was hit over the head with a blunt instrument as she walked home.In September that year schoolgirl Lynne Weedon was hit over the head with a blunt instrument as she walked home.
She was then thrown over a fence into the grounds of an electricity sub-station, where she was raped. Miss Weedon later died of her head injuries.She was then thrown over a fence into the grounds of an electricity sub-station, where she was raped. Miss Weedon later died of her head injuries.
Lynne Weedon, 16, was raped and killed in September 1975
DCI Mortimer said advances in forensic science had enabled detectives to re-examine such cases "with the very real possibility that some progress can be made that would not have been possible previously".DCI Mortimer said advances in forensic science had enabled detectives to re-examine such cases "with the very real possibility that some progress can be made that would not have been possible previously".
The actions of this one unknown person were the same for both lots of family and friends - our girls would never bring home friends, new interests, grandchildren Lynne Weedon's mother Margaret
Detectives now believe the same man killed both young women, and that he may have confided or "bragged about" the murders in the intervening years.Detectives now believe the same man killed both young women, and that he may have confided or "bragged about" the murders in the intervening years.
"They have kept a dark secret for the last 30 years and I'm sure they would have felt the need to share this burden with someone," DCI Mortimer said."They have kept a dark secret for the last 30 years and I'm sure they would have felt the need to share this burden with someone," DCI Mortimer said.
Miss Weedon's mother Margaret said: "The actions of this one unknown person were the same for both lots of family and friends - our girls would never bring home friends, new interests, grandchildren."Miss Weedon's mother Margaret said: "The actions of this one unknown person were the same for both lots of family and friends - our girls would never bring home friends, new interests, grandchildren."
She added: "The world is a very different place now and we had our doubts over the wisdom of spending time and money on investigating something which happened all that time ago.She added: "The world is a very different place now and we had our doubts over the wisdom of spending time and money on investigating something which happened all that time ago.
"But it would be very satisfying to have a final closure to the events of 1975 and to know what happened and why.""But it would be very satisfying to have a final closure to the events of 1975 and to know what happened and why."
Earlier this month the government announced that forensic scientists would begin reviewing an extra 4,000 unsolved sex crimes.Earlier this month the government announced that forensic scientists would begin reviewing an extra 4,000 unsolved sex crimes.