Search for Gemma's killer goes on

By Danielle Nuttall

POLICE investigating the murder of prostitute Gemma Adams are carrying out forensic tests on discarded clothing found in the village where her naked body was found, it emerged last night.

But officers stress they do not know the relevance of the clothing at this stage or who it belongs to and are urging members of the public to continue to call them if they find anything of significance.

The force also dismissed suggestions last night her murder could be linked with the arrest of an alleged German serial killer, saying that it was: “absolutely not one of our lines of enquiries”.

Police in Norfolk yesterday revealed how they had opened up their own files of missing or murdered prostitutes to help detectives investigating the killing of Miss Adams.

The force has offered information to their Suffolk counterparts on three cases involving prostitutes either missing or murdered as officers investigate whether Miss Adams' killer has struck before.

Norfolk police insisted yesterday there was nothing to suggest any links with their own unsolved cases but pledged to continue checking information to assist with the ongoing enquiry.

A spokeswoman for the force said last night: “We are currently checking our databases to see if there is any information within the inquiries into prostitute murders that have occurred in Norfolk which may assist the on-going inquiry in Suffolk.

“At this time there is nothing to suggest there is any links however we will continue to check and share information with Suffolk Police in order to assist them with their inquiry.”

Extensive ground and water searches of the area at Thorpe's Hill, Hintlesham, where Miss Adams' body was found on Saturday, have been going on all week and will continue for a number of days.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police said: “Items of clothing have been found at Hintlesham and further tests will be carried out to see if they have any relevance at all to this enquiry.

“Gemma's clothing remains outstanding and we need to trace that.”

Officers investigating the disappearance of a second missing Ipswich prostitute, 19-year-old Tania Nicol, began searching roads, alleyways, gardens and outbuildings in the area where she was last seen yesterday with the hope of uncovering evidence that would assist their enquiries.

At the same time, the force released a photograph of a shoe similar to that worn by her when she vanished to generate further information from the public.

Miss Nicol left her home in Woolverstone Close, Ipswich, at about 10.30pm on Monday, October 30.

She headed into town with the intention of working as a prostitute.

Police have recovered CCTV footage which shows Miss Nicol walking past the exit of Sainsbury's garage on London Road at 11.02pm and again five minutes later at the junction of Handford Road and Burlington Road.

She has not been seen since and has not made contact with her friends or family. Police say they have “grave” concerns for her safety.

Detective Chief Inspector John Quinton, who is overseeing the investigation into Miss Nicol's disappearance, said: “As part of our enquiries we have been working with a company to get a photo of the same shoes Tania was known to be wearing the night she went missing.

“We know New Look manufactured the shoes and they are very distinctive, having a pink sparkly appearance, a small buckle and high stiletto heels.

“It is imperative that we try to work out Tania's movements on the night she went missing. We hope that by issuing this picture of the shoes someone's memory will be jogged and they will remember seeing her that evening or since.”

New Look is believed to be specially remanufacturing the shoe, which has now been discontinued, to help police further with their enquiries.

Anyone who has information in relation to the disappearance of Miss Nicol is asked to call the incident room on 01473 613588 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Calls relating to the murder of Miss Adams should be made to 01473 613538.