Police want to catch the murderer of the 33-year-old mother of two who was stabbed to death in a forest 40 years ago today after dropping her children off at school. The murder was a sexual offense

Police have announced that they will bring the murderer of a mother of two to justice on the 40th anniversary of the sexual murder.

Shelley Morgan, 33, was stabbed multiple times in a frenzied attack on June 11, 1984, after dropping her children off at school in Bristol.

The US-born art student was on her way to Leigh Woods near Ashton Court, where she planned to spend the day sketching and photographing.

When she failed to pick up her children and return home to Dunkerry Road in Bedminster, police were called and a missing person search was launched.

Four months later, on October 14, children playing in a wood off Long Lane in Backwell Hill discovered her remains.

An autopsy revealed that the married woman, Morgan, had suffered numerous stab wounds and there were indications that the attack was sexually motivated.

The police launched a murder investigation and the case was reviewed several times, but the killer was never found.

Detective Inspector Dave Marchant said: “We will never give up on identifying the person responsible for Shelley’s murder and for leaving her two young children without their mother.”

“Forty years may have passed, but our resolve has not wavered and we remain determined to give her family answers and, if her killer is still alive, to bring him to justice.”

“We know that after dropping her children off at school on June 11, 1984, Shelley headed toward Leigh Woods where she planned to take photographs and make sketches.

“While we cannot say for certain that she made it to Leigh Woods, we have unconfirmed sightings of her on a bus travelling to the area and was close to Ashton Court.

“We know that Shelley wore a scarlet top, white skirt and maroon tights, and large red round glasses.

“And we know that she had a homemade patchwork bag and her 35mm Olympus OM20 camera with her.

“Neither her clothing nor her camera were ever recovered, but we remain hopeful that someone will find the camera as it is still popular with collectors.”

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“If you own a 1980s Olympus OM20 camera with serial number 1032853, please contact us.”

Five years ago, Mrs Morgan’s sister Hollie Brian said: “Shelley’s death had a profound impact on our family and her loss has been felt ever since.”

“I have come to believe that a person is not truly dead until the people who love him and think of him have also died.”

“As long as we carry Shelley in our hearts she will always be with us, but we are all getting older and the time will come when all these doors will close.

“We ask you to come to the police if you know anything about what happened on that day in June 1984.”

“Perhaps you were afraid to talk about it back then. Perhaps your situation has changed.

“Out of love and respect for my sister, we really want to know what happened. And we want to make sure that the person who killed her never hurts anyone again.”

Mr Marchant added: “It may be hard to imagine that we can still solve this gruesome 40-year-old crime, but given the advances in forensic science and the passage of time, we remain optimistic.”

“Our public appeals are also effective in raising new questions and helping us answer previously unanswered questions.”

“Five years ago we published images of two postcards showing the River Avon in Bristol and St Andrew’s Church from the direction of Backwell Hill.

“Several citizens contacted us in response to this appeal and the officers were subsequently able to rule out that the postcards were relevant to the investigation.”

“Loyalties and relationships change over time and someone who didn’t feel able to talk to us then or even five years ago may be able to do so today.”

“We believe the places Shelley visited that day hold the key to the identity of her killer.”

“It is very likely that her killer knew the Leigh Woods and Backwell areas and may have had connections there through work or other means.”

“It is also more than likely that they had access to a vehicle.”

“If you have any information, no matter how insignificant or irrelevant it may seem to you, please come forward.”

“You might have the missing piece to help solve this case.”