Unsolved RAF Halton murder on TV
19-year-old Rita Ellis was killed at the base just outside Wendover in 1967.
Last updated 14th Sep 2020
53 years ago, a young woman was murdered at RAF Halton - today her unsolved case is on TV.
On Saturday, the 11th of November 1967, Rita Ellis was killed at the base just outside Wendover.
Rita's sister Tina, was part of an appeal three years ago to try and find the killer:
"She was so kind, so caring, so supportive, but she always seemed to be frightened of everything.
"She was painfully shy, so going into the RAF was great for Rita because it really broadened her horizons and gave her confidence."
19-year-old Rita Ellis, who was from Stevenage, Hertfordshire, was murdered at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire on Saturday 11 November 1967.
At 10.30am on Sunday 12 November Rita's body was found on the camp by a dog walker near a disused railway at the old coal yard about 250 yards from the main road from Wendover to Tring.
Rita's body had been covered by leaves and foliage.
Rita, who was stationed at the camp, had been sexually assaulted and strangled by a ligature made out of her underwear.
"I can just remember mum crying and it seemed to go on for forever..."
Police have a DNA sample - they just need to find a match.
At the time of the murder, Thames Valley Police did not exist, the local police force was Buckinghamshire Constabulary, however it was New Scotland Yard that led the investigation.
Head of the Thames Valley Police Major Crime Review Team, Peter Beirne said:
"There will be people out there who have suspicions about who murdered Rita Ellis and we want to hear from them.
"Just give us the name of who you suspect, we don't need any of your personal details. Call 101 or email helprita@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk with the name of the person or persons you suspect.
"The person responsible for Rita's murder will have had this horrific act on their conscience for 53 years, and there has to be a possibility that they have confided in someone during this time. If you have any information, even if you think the information is insignificant, please come forward.
"In the time that has passed allegiances may have changed or perhaps you couldn't come forward at the time for whatever reason but now you can. "
So today Rita's story features on CrimeWatch on BBC One, with Pete asking for names of suspects.
It's hoped that, finally, justice can be done for the shy girl from Stevenage - whose sister still misses her.
Tina added:
"After Rita died I used to read the newspaper cuttings and it used to give me nightmares. I tried to understand it but I just kept thinking about whether she suffered - those things went through my head even as a ten-year-old.
"Rita's murder has had a huge impact on me and my family. My mother and Rita were incredibly close, they were like sisters. My mother was never the same after Rita died, my mother had a number of illnesses and incidentally she died on the same day as Rita on 11th November in 1994.
"It's been a long time coming but we want justice for Rita. Someone, somewhere must have some information. I urge them to please come forward to the police and give us closure and allow Rita to be at peace."