25 Years On, Killer of Teen Kate Still on the Loose
Kate Bushell was brutally murdered on Saturday 15 November 1997 while walking a neighbour’s dog near her Exeter home. Her father found her body in a field off Exwick Lane, with a savage knife wound to her throat. Now, on the 25th anniversary of her death, police renew their desperate plea for information.
£20,000 Reward for Justice
Devon and Cornwall Police, backed by the charity Crimestoppers, have put up a huge £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Kate’s killer. Detective Inspector Rob Back, head of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “We have never forgotten Kate. Someone out there holds the final clue to bring her murderer to justice. It’s never too late to speak up.”
Kate’s brother, Tim Bushell, spoke for the family: “Not a day goes by without us remembering Kate. We implore anyone with information to come forward so her killer can be caught.”
One of Devon’s Largest Unsolved Murder Inquiries
The case triggered one of the biggest and longest police investigations in Devon. Over 160 detectives worked the case in 1997. Police interviewed thousands of locals and collected over 5,000 DNA samples. Three suspects were questioned and released without charge.
A significant 2017 review alongside a 20th anniversary appeal generated 204 calls, uncovering 10 new lines of enquiry. But despite this, detectives still lack the crucial piece to crack the case.
Key Clues: Blue Car, Two Men, and Orange Fibres
- Witnesses saw Kate with the dog near a blue car parked by stables at Exwick Lane shortly before her death. A man aged 30-40, clean-shaven with dark collar-length hair, stood by the vehicle but never came forward.
- Another ‘running man’ was spotted nearby that evening but remains unidentified.
- At the crime scene, police found over 100 bright orange fibres from workwear like boiler suits or aprons—an important clue still unexplained.
DI Back urged: “If you remember seeing someone in orange clothing acting suspiciously, please come forward. The men seen near the blue car also need to be identified.”
Local Killer Suspected
The isolated location suggests the offender is local, familiar with quiet country paths near Exwick. Detectives believe the killer may have lived near the area or had close ties there.
DI Back stressed that misplaced loyalty may be keeping the killer’s identity secret. “It’s time to break silence and give Kate’s family the justice they deserve.”
Remembering Kate – A Bright Star Taken Too Soon
Kate was a gifted 14-year-old student at St Thomas High School. She dreamed of Oxford, loved basketball and was a talented musician playing saxophone, clarinet, and piano. Her family continues to feel the heartbreak of her brutal loss every day.
Tim Bushell’s heartfelt plea: “Kate was taken from us far too soon. Please, if you have any information, no matter how small, speak now. Help us catch the person responsible for this terrible crime.”
How to Help
- Contact Devon and Cornwall Police via the Major Incident Public Portal: mipp.police.uk
- Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
- Submit info online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org
Time is running out to solve Kate Bushell’s murder. The public’s help could finally bring closure after 25 tragic years.
