Kent Police have launched a renewed appeal for information on the tragic death of Baby April, whose body was discovered at Singleton Lake, Ashford, on April 3, 1995. As the 30th anniversary of the unsolved case arrives, detectives are hopeful that advances in DNA profiling and forensic science will finally unlock the mystery of the newborn’s death.
Case Background: What Happened to Baby April?
The tiny body of Baby April, a newborn girl, was found wrapped in a Kleenex tissue bag inside a Motaworld bag at Singleton Lake. An autopsy revealed that the infant, who weighed 7lbs, had likely died of asphyxiation. Police believe that she was prevented from breathing shortly after birth.
Investigators estimated that Baby April’s date of birth was between March 25 and April 3, 1995, the week prior to her discovery. Despite an extensive murder investigation, no information surfaced to identify her parents or relatives.
Previous Investigations and Renewed Efforts
In May 2011, Kent Police exhumed Baby April’s body from Bybrook Cemetery to obtain a full DNA profile. After gathering the new sample, she was laid to rest once more. Unfortunately, this new DNA data did not yield a significant breakthrough, and the case remained unsolved.
Now, 30 years on, Kent Police have initiated a case review, spurred by developments in forensic science and the potential of familial DNA profiling.
Detective’s Appeal: Time to Do the Right Thing
Detective Inspector Lee Neiles of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate expressed a heartfelt plea to the public:
“This is a horrific case of a newborn baby girl being killed and discarded in a lake. April would be 30 years old now, and who knows what she would be contributing to society, but someone ended her life in the most unimaginable way.
I have no doubt that someone out there knows something. Three decades have passed, and now is the time to do the right thing and come forward, so we can get justice for April.
Advances in forensic science, particularly familial DNA, now give us an even better chance of identifying her parents. We urge the mother of April to come forward rather than us coming to you.”
How to Help: Submit Information
Anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, is urged to contact Kent Police.
- Call 01622 652006
- Contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111
- Submit information via the online portal: Kent Police Online Portal
Why This Case Still Matters
The renewed investigation reflects the police’s commitment to achieving justice for Baby April, despite the passage of time. The hope is that someone, possibly carrying guilt or uncertainty, may finally come forward to provide crucial information.
As Detective Neiles poignantly put it, this case is about honouring a life cut short. As forensic science continues to advance, Kent Police remain determined to find the truth and offer some closure to a long-standing tragedy.
