Five new 'persons of interest' over 1992 murder of girl, 16

Police investigating the murder of a teenager who died 25 years ago have identified five new "persons of interest".

The body of 16-year-old Natalie Pearman was found by a lorry driver in a lay-by on the outskirts of Norwich at 3.50am on November 20 1992.

Natalie, who had been working as a prostitute in the red light district of Norwich, was last seen alive in Rouen Road at 1.15am on the same day as she was discovered.

A post-mortem examination later recorded that Natalie died from asphyxiation.

Cold case detectives appealed to the public for new information in November of this year.

A Norfolk Police spokeswoman said: "Following an anniversary appeal into the murder of Natalie Pearman, five new persons of interest have been identified.

Natalie Pearman was found dead on the outskirts of Norwich in 1992 (Norfolk Constabulary/PA)
Natalie Pearman was found dead on the outskirts of Norwich in 1992 (Norfolk Constabulary/PA)

"We are in the process of taking DNA samples from all men which will be run against DNA that was recovered from the crime scene.

"In total, the appeal generated 45 calls into the inquiry team, including two sightings of Natalie which have been established as mistaken."

At the time of the initial investigation, a DNA crime profile was obtained and loaded on to the national DNA database.

More than 4,000 people have subsequently been interviewed and a "large number" provided samples for DNA testing, but to date the DNA profile obtained from the crime scene has not been matched.

Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Millar has previously said: "Natalie's murder is one of those cases that could be easily solved with one piece of information."

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