Tragic mystery of mum, 25, found strangled & stabbed to death under rotten bed base in woods – as her killer roams free
THE mystery of a mum’s tragic murder who was strangled, stabbed and later found covered by an old bed base in a woodland brook remains unsolved.
Patricia Granger was stabbed, sexually assaulted and strangled near her home in Parson Cross, Sheffield in August 1997.
The 25-year-old’s body was discovered in a brook in a nearby woodland but her killer was never found.
Cops have now told The Sun that they are still keeping the case open and “continually reviewing” it.
With the mystery of Patricia’s killer still unsolved, her son, Danny Grainger, has issued multiple pleas and even launched a website to uncover the truth about what happened to his mother.
He said: “Someone out there knows what happened to Pat. No more secrets.”
Patracia’s family even offered a £5,000 cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Danny added: “No one should be able to get away with such a terrible crime on an innocent young mum.
“My vulnerable mum was treated in the most sickening way possible, used and abused as if she wasn’t human.”
The mum had been living with her son and parents when she was brutally murdered and her body was left at Hartley Brook Dike, close to homes on Deerlands Avenue on the Parson Cross estate.
Some schoolboys discovered Patricia’s body submerged face down in the water, held down by a divan bed base.
Danny was only five when his mum was tragically killed and as he grew older he noticed that there was a lack of information about his mum’s case.
Feeling that his mum’s death was overlooked, Patricia’s son set up a website to ensure her case received the attention it deserved.
The website, called “Who Killed My Mum?,” was set up to let anyone with information on the mum-of-one’s case share details that might help solve the mystery.
Danny’s efforts drew national media attention, casting a fresh spotlight on the mystery surrounding Patricia’s death.
However, despite the new focus on the case, he was still no closer to discovering what had happened to his mum.
The now 32-year-old remains in constant contact with the police, continuing to press them for leads year after year.
Police have conducted two reviews of the murder since the original 1997 investigation and are now preparing for a forensic review.
Officers had previously stated that the best way to solve cold cases is through forensic analysis, which has advanced significantly in the 26 years since the investigation began.
One police officer revealed that his team is prioritising this case over other homicide investigations because they believe there are forensic opportunities that could finally solve the mystery.
South Yorkshire Police told The Sun: “As with all other unsolved homicide investigations, the death of Patricia Granger is being continually reviewed by our Major Incident Review Team.
“Resources are allocated accordingly to investigate any new information or intelligence we receive.
A spokesperson added: “We take all new lines of enquiry incredibly seriously.
“We want to thank members of the public who have already contacted us with information in connection with Patricia’s death.
“We would urge anyone who has intelligence but is yet to share it with police to please do so.
“You can contact us on 101 or by reporting information to us online via our website.”