£20,000 Crimestoppers reward to find 1986 Merseyside killer of Diane Sindall

Independent charity Crimestoppers is appealing for information that will help find those responsible for the brutal murder of a young woman nearly four decades ago. 

Diane Sindall, who was 21 years old, was killed in Birkenhead in August 1986. She worked at a local florist and also part-time at the Wellington Pub in Bebington, Wirral. 

Diane was on her way home after finishing work on the night of Friday, 1 August 1986, when her blue Fiat van ran out of petrol on Borough Road. 

She was seen walking between midnight and 12.20am, believed to be heading towards a bus stop or garage. 

Tragically, her body was discovered 12 hours later by a dog walker in an alleyway off Borough Road. She had been sexually assaulted and violently attacked.

Following advances in forensic science, Merseyside Police reopened the investigation in 2023 after new DNA evidence was confirmed NOT to be a match for the man previously convicted of her murder. 

Detectives are now working to identify who the DNA belongs to and are urging anyone with information to come forward.

To support the investigation, Crimestoppers, as a UK charity independent of the police, is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information given exclusively to us that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Diane’s murder. 

Do you have information, but don't want to speak to the police? You can tell us what you know and remain 100% anonymous - guaranteed. 

Call free any time on 0800 555 111 or fill in our quick, easy & secure online form, right here on our website:

Give information anonymously

“Although it has been nearly 40 years since Diane’s murder, we still believe there are people who know what happened, or have their own suspicions, who haven’t yet come forward. My message would be ‘it is never too late to do the right thing’.

“On 17 August 1986 property belonging to Diane was recovered on Bidston Hill. The investigation team at the time identified witnesses who had seen a small fire, at the location where the property was found, on Sunday 3 August, and had witnessed a man running from the scene.

“Were you on Borough Road on the evening of Friday 1 August or the early hours of Saturday 2 August and saw or heard something suspicious? Or can you help identify the man seen running away from Bidston Hill on Sunday 3 August?

“Additionally in the years since Diane’s murder, has anybody you know raised any suspicions or passed any information which you think could help? Please come forward and tell us what you know.

“We can trace and request a DNA sample from any person you suspect or even a relative if they have passed away or emigrated.”

Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson, Major Crime Unit, Merseyside Police

“Please help bring answers to Diane’s family, who have waited almost 40 years for justice. Someone, somewhere, knows what happened that night, and we’re urging them to come forward. What you know could finally give Diane’s loved ones the answers they’ve been waiting for. 

“Crimestoppers is independent of the police. When you contact us, you stay completely anonymous. Your personal details are never asked for, and your call or online report cannot be traced back to you. 

“Every day, thousands of people across the UK trust Crimestoppers with vital information that makes all the difference. We pass on what we’re told, and if you know something about this case, but are unwilling to speak to the police, you can stay completely anonymous with Crimestoppers.”

Gary Murray, Crimestoppers North West Regional Manager 

Anonymity

Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity, meaning that people who call or contact us online can pass on what they know without ever giving any personal details. Computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.

Claiming a reward

The reward will only be payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers and not to the police. A reward code must be asked for when calling our charity on 0800 555 111. If you contact us via our online form anonymously, the 'keeping in contact’ facility must be used and a reward code must be requested on your initial contact.
 
More details about the rewards process – at the heart of which is ensuring you stay 100% anonymous - can be found here.

22 January 2026