Police still hunting killer of Greenhithe teenager Claire Tiltman

A CANDLE lit walk will be held in memory of Claire Tiltman who was murdered 20 years ago.

Miss Tiltman was 16-years-old when she was stabbed in an alleyway off the A226 London Road in Greenhithe on January 18 in 1993.

Today would have been her 36th birthday.

Friends and family will join officers for a special memorial service on Friday, including divisional commander Neil Jerome who was a PC on patrol at the time the teenager was murdered.

He said: "I remember getting the initial call and being told it was an accident that had happened.

"Obviously when we arrived at the scene things quickly changed to a serious assault.

"There was very little to go on in the early stages, I was tasked to look around the neighbourhood to see if there was anyone around, anyone covered in blood, any witnesses, but there was nothing."

Mr. Jerome says he still believes there is someone out there who knows what happened to Claire, adding: "It’s sad that an entire family has been wiped out. Claire’s parents have gone to their graves not knowing who killed their daughter.

"There must be witnesses who haven’t come forward, who are getting older now. Do they want to go to their graves with that vital piece of information?"

Lisa Gribbin, Miss Tiltman's best friend and other school friends, has organised a candle lit walk and memorial service on Friday - 20 years to the day since she was murdered to help trigger someone's memory about the events that evening.

She said: "We have a strong feeling that with both Claire’s parents now gone, there is a need to carry on the fight to find her killer and finally get some justice for our dear friend."

The walk will start opposite The Bull at Horns Cross and will go to the memorial site in London Road, close to where Miss Tiltman. A short service in St Mary’s church opposite, will be held at 7pm.

If you have information that may help with the investigation, contact the incident room on 01634 884010. Alternatively, telephone Kent Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.