COLD CASE
Who was Deborah Wood and what happened to her?
DEBORAH Wood was just twenty years old when she was tragically murdered in 1996.
The case has been unsolved for decades and is re-examined in Channel 4’s In The Footsteps of Killers. But who was Deborah and how did she die?
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Who was Deborah Wood?
Deborah Wood was a 20-year-old factory worker from Leeds, who lived in the Holbeck area of the city.
She was tragically murdered in 1996, after disappearing for ten days.
The case remains open and her family is still waiting for someone to be brought to justice for her death.
What happened to Deborah Wood?
Deborah was last seen leaving Big Lil’s Public House in Leeds city centre on January 4, 1996.
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She was enjoying a drink with her dad and some friends at 5pm, before her father left.
That was the last time Deborah was seen alive, as she went missing that night.
Tragically, her body was found ten days later by a fire crew.
They arrived at the scene of a fire at Burnley Railway Station to find Deborah’s body.
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Due to the extent of her burns, she had to be identified through her dental records and DNA.
No killer has been caught and prosecuted for Deborah’s murder, but her brother once again called for justice on the 28th anniversary of her death.
He blamed John Taylor, the murderer of 16-year-old Leanne Tiernan, for his sister’s death as he pointed out the similarities in their murders.
Speaking to the Sun, Mr Wood said: “I’ve been thinking about writing to him asking for answers.
"He’s only in Wakefield prison - it’s not more than seven miles away.
"I’d say to him ‘you’ve got nothing to lose - just tell me’.
"He’s not getting out so what’s he got to lose?
"He’s got nothing to gain from not telling the truth."
He added: "If you look at all the circumstantial evidence, there is a lot to link Taylor to my sister’s murder.
"But the biggest thing is that bar staff at Big Lil’s have confirmed that Taylor used to drink there.
"He used to go around the tables being a pest to women and causing a nuisance.
"So we know he was a regular in the same pub where Deborah was last seen.
"To me, that’s just too much of a coincidence.”
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What did the police say?
In January 2021, police launched a fresh appeal to find Deborah's killer.
Detective Inspector Paul Conroy of West Yorkshire Police’s Operation Recall team said: "This crime may now be 25 years old but time doesn’t diminish our resolve to bring the person or persons responsible for this horrendous crime to justice.
"And likewise her grieving family want answers about what happened to Deborah.
"I would appeal to anyone who knows anything about this case to examine the conscience and come forward – your information could make all the difference.
"Deborah was given no dignity in death with her body being burned to the extent that she was only identified using dental records and DNA.
"Previous attempts to bring her killer to justice, including an appeal and reconstruction on BBC Crimewatch, have so far failed.
"Hopefully, with the passage of time, people may feel more comfortable or able to come forward and tell us what happened.
"As with all unsolved murder enquiries the case remains under investigation and a thorough forensic review remains ongoing."
He urged anyone with information to "examine their conscience"
How can you watch Channel 4’s In The Footsteps Of Killers?
In The Footsteps Of Killers is a true crime series hosted by Emilia Fox and Professor David Wilson.
The episode covering Deborah’s case will air on Monday, September 16, 2024.
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Viewers who miss the live airing of the show can catch up on Channel 4’s streaming service.
The documentary first aired in January 2023.
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