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# Police renew appeal for 1993 murder of Karen Hales on BBC Crimewatch
- URL: https://www.ipswich.co.uk/police-renew-appeal-for-1993-murder-of-karen-hales-on-bbc-crimewatch/
- Published: 2024-10-09T10:58:27.000Z
- Updated: 2026-03-16T15:33:25.000Z
- Description: Suffolk Police have renewed their appeal for information about the unsolved murder of Karen Hales in 1993. The case was featured on BBC's Crimewatch Live as investigators revealed new details about the suspects.
- Author: Oliver Rouane-Williams
- Tags: News, Appeals, Crime, #article, #story-karen-hales-murder, Suffolk Constabulary, #Import 2026-03-16 14:46

**What's new:** Police have disclosed that three declared suspects for the murder have died, hoping this information will encourage people to come forward without fear of repercussions.

**Why it matters:** The brutal killing of 21-year-old Karen Hales in her Ipswich home remains unsolved after nearly 31 years, leaving her family without closure.

![Karen Hales](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/1e/291e4b7f-e551-4458-b546-61963954b22f/content/images/2026/03/1728471449-karen-hales-1.jpg)

Karen Hales Photo: Miller, Lisa (Suffolk Police)

**The details:**

- Karen was found stabbed to death and set on fire in her kitchen on 21 November 1993
- Her 18-month-old daughter was in the house but unharmed
- The case was featured on BBC Crimewatch Live on 9 October 2024
- Police interviewed over 400 motorists and followed up more than 1,400 lines of enquiry at the time

**What they're saying:** Andy Guy, Major Crime Review and Unsolved Case Team Manager, said: "Despite the passage of time, the effects of this senseless murder are still very much felt by Karen's family – in particular her parents who had to endure the unimaginable trauma of discovering the crime scene."

**Between the lines:** By revealing the death of key suspects, police hope to remove barriers for potential witnesses who may have been afraid to come forward previously.

**The bottom line:** Investigators urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to contact the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Unsolved Case Team or Crimestoppers anonymously.

**How to help:**

- Call the Unsolved Case Team: 01953 423819
- Email: [unsolvedcasereviews@norfolk.pnn.police.uk](mailto:unsolvedcasereviews@norfolk.pnn.police.uk)
- Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 or [www.crimestoppers-uk.org](http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/?ref=ipswich.co.uk)

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