Carol Clark murder: ‘New and significant’ information reopens case 30 years later

Her body was discovered on the banks of the water next to Sharpness Docks near Berkeley in 1993

Carol Clark lived in the Montpelier area of Bristol and was last seen getting into a car two days before she was found dead
Author: Ashton KirbyPublished 28th Mar 2023

Gloucestershire Constabulary have reopened an investigation 30 years after the brutal murder of a Bristol woman.

Carol Clark, 32, was found dead (Sunday 28 March 1993) on the side of the Gloucester Sharpness Canal after being strangled and having her neck broken.

Despite a large scale murder investigation, the case has remained unsolved.

But now police officers, working with the South West Major Crime Investigation Team, say they've received information that has the potential to unlock the case.

Carol Clark's body was discovered amongst reeds and shrubs near Sharpness Docks

Carol Clark lived in Picton Street in Montpelier, Bristol and was last seen getting into a car there at around 11:30pm on Friday 26 March 1993. She was wearing a black baseball cap, brown leather jacket, blue denim mini skit, black polo necked jumper and plain blue t-shirt.

Two days later, a dog walker came across Carol's body under reeds and shrubs near the Sharpness Docks.

Carol Clark's body was discovered in a a busy area and police are re - appealing for anyone who might have seen anything

At the time police led an extensive investigation but were unable to find a murderer.

Exactly 30 years after Carol Clark's body was found, Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Usher says they've "received new and significant information."

Adding "I cannot say more at the moment without putting enquiries at risk, it is an encouraging development and one which has all my officers more determined than ever to find Carol’s murderer.

Detectives suspect some people with information remained silent due to misplaced loyalty

“But I still need the public’s help.

"Carol lived and worked in a very close-knit community and it’s likely that some people with information about what happened to her remained silent, perhaps through fear or misplaced loyalty.

“In the time that’s passed since, allegiances and loyalties will have changed though, so I’m asking those people to search their consciences once again, 30 years after her death, to look at her photo, to think about the impact this continues to have on her loved ones, and help bring the culprit to justice."

Carol’s family has released the following statement: “We are aware that the investigation into Carol’s death is being re-opened based on new evidence and that new enquiries are being pursued. We hope that this investigation will allow us some closure.

“We are being updated by police family liaison officers, and ask for our privacy to be respected at this time."

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