Crimestoppers
Fearless
Cornwall: 25-year anniversary appeal to catch the killer of Lyn Bryant – we offer £20,000 reward
A fresh appeal for information on the 25th anniversary of the unsolved murder of Cornish mum Linda ‘Lyn’ Bryant has been launched. We are offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information which leads to an arrest and conviction of anybody responsible.
The 40-year-old was killed on Tuesday, 20 October 1998, as she walked the family dog in quiet rural lanes near her home in Ruan High Lanes on the Roseland.
Her body was found in a field gateway between Ruan High Lanes Methodist Chapel and Treviles Manor. She had been stabbed a number of times in a prolonged attack.
On the 25th anniversary of her murder, detectives remain convinced that someone holds vital information that could help to apprehend her killer.
“For 25 years the family of Lyn Bryant have lived with this terrible loss and uncertainty. However, time has not diminished our commitment to bring the killer to justice and to give the family some peace.
“We know that 25 years is a long time but we remain convinced that someone knows what happened to Lyn and for some reason they have never come forward. Allegiances may have changed with the passage of time and those who found it difficult to talk to police may now feel able. Now is the time to make contact.”
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Rob Smith, from the Force Major Crime Investigation Team
Advances in DNA have enabled police to produce a partial DNA profile which is believed to be that of the killer. Since October 2016 officers have been retaking DNA samples from people across the UK to check them against the partial profile.
DI Smith added: “We constantly review this case against new scientific techniques, the national DNA database and intelligence systems. Every piece of information received from the public is thoroughly investigated.
“The discovery of the partial DNA profile was a significant step forward. We now need the public to give us the name of anyone they suspect had involvement in Lyn’s death so that we can match the DNA.”
The death of the mum-of-two is one of the largest and longest running unsolved murder enquiries carried out by Devon and Cornwall Police.
In 1998 Lyn’s final movements were pieced together, including critical witness reports of three unknown men seen in the area at the time.
The three remain unidentified - a man seen speaking with Lyn at the chapel, a scruffy bearded man in a small white van and a man walking in a nearby field. The van has never been traced and all three men have never come forward.
The sightings remain a key part of the investigation into Lyn’s murder.
You can read more about the case on the Lyn Bryant appeal website.
***Information passed directly to police will not qualify for any reward. Only information passed directly to our charity using our untraceable anonymous online form or via 0800 555 111 number at any time will qualify. Find out more about how to claim the reward.***
