The Murder of Kate Bushell
Kate Bushell was a bright, vivacious teenager living in Exwick, Exeter. On 15 November 1997, she left her home at 4:30 p.m. to walk her neighbour’s dog, Gemma. By 6:00 p.m., when she had not returned, her worried parents began searching the area. Tragically, Kate’s father discovered her lifeless body near a footpath off Exwick Lane around 7:30 p.m. Her throat had been brutally cut, and the community was left in shock.
Police investigations unearthed unsettling clues. Witnesses reported seeing a man with a blue car parked near the scene shortly before Kate’s death. Another witness described a vagrant who had been spotted several times in the area in the months leading up to the murder. Despite multiple appeals, none of these individuals ever came forward. Speculation grew that the killer was a local or someone with detailed knowledge of the area, as the isolated lane was primarily used by residents.
Kate’s case was featured on Crimewatch, where detectives highlighted the chilling possibility of a repeat offender. Despite the high-profile nature of the investigation and a community gripped with fear, the case went cold. The murder became a defining moment in the region’s criminal history, one that struck a chord across the nation.
The Murder of Lyn Bryant
Eleven months later, on 20 October 1998, Lyn Bryant, a mother of two, was attacked while walking her dog near Ruan High Lanes on the Roseland Peninsula. Lyn’s body was discovered by a passing motorist at 2:30 p.m. near a field gate, her dog unharmed by her side. She had been stabbed multiple times in her neck and chest in what police described as a “horrendous” attack.
As with Kate’s murder, witnesses reported suspicious activity. A scruffy man driving a white van had followed Lyn’s car out of a petrol station shortly before her death. This van had also been seen parked near the chapel where Lyn was later found, raising suspicions about its driver. Another man, clean-shaven and dressed in light clothing, was spotted speaking with Lyn outside the chapel shortly before her murder.
Like Kate, Lyn was attacked in broad daylight in an isolated area. Both killings appeared motiveless, their brutality sparking speculation of a serial offender targeting women walking their dogs. Despite extensive inquiries, including DNA testing of over 6,000 individuals and exhaustive efforts to trace the van, Lyn’s killer remains unidentified.
Chilling Parallels
The similarities between the two murders have fuelled fears of a serial killer. Both victims were attacked while walking their dogs in rural areas, their pets left unharmed. Neither case showed evidence of robbery or sexual assault, yet investigators concluded that the motive was likely sexual due to the way the victims’ clothing had been disturbed. The attacks were swift, violent, and seemingly planned.
Adding to the mystery, four months after Lyn’s murder, her missing glasses were inexplicably found near the crime scene despite thorough searches at the time of her death. This discovery suggested the killer might have returned to the site, potentially taunting investigators or seeking closure. The unsettling detail heightened the aura of terror surrounding the case.
Serial Killer Speculation
In the years following the murders, police and true crime enthusiasts alike have speculated about a potential serial killer. Links have been drawn to the 1987 murder of Helen Fleet in Weston-super-Mare, another case involving a woman attacked while walking her dog. Some have also considered connections to other unsolved killings, such as Julia Webb’s 1998 murder in Cheshire.
While no definitive links have been established, the similarities between these cases are undeniable. Police profilers described the potential killer as a loner with violent tendencies, likely harbouring deep-seated hatred toward women. His actions suggest meticulous planning, targeting isolated victims in areas he was familiar with.
Cold Cases and Renewed Investigations
Despite extensive investigations costing millions of pounds, both cases remain unsolved. In 2018, a breakthrough came when a partial DNA profile was isolated from evidence in Lyn Bryant’s case. While this raised hopes of identifying the perpetrator, it has yet to yield results. Investigators also re-examined leads in Kate’s case, including the sighting of a man in a blue vehicle near the crime scene and bright orange fibres found nearby.
In recent years, police have issued renewed appeals for information, including a £20,000 reward for details leading to a conviction. The anniversaries of the murders continue to draw media attention, keeping the cases alive in public memory.
The Legacy of Two Unsolved Crimes
The murders of Kate Bushell and Lyn Bryant remain two of Britain’s most notorious unsolved cases. For the families of the victims, the pain of not knowing persists, compounded by the fear that the killer could strike again. The cases are haunting reminders of the vulnerability of ordinary moments, the fragility of life, and the devastating impact of violence on communities.
As investigators press on, the hope remains that justice will one day be served, bringing closure to the victims’ families and ending one of the most chilling mysteries in British criminal history.
