Police have identified a suspect in the murder of a homeless woman who was killed more than 20 years ago in East Sussex.
Jennifer Kiely, 35, was stabbed 16 times and set alight in a seafront shelter in Eastbourne during the early hours of 22 January 2005. Sussex Police have now confirmed that DNA breakthroughs have identified Keith Dowbekin as the prime suspect.
Detectives said Dowbekin would have been charged with murder had he not died in 2014 at the age of 60, bringing the long-running investigation to a close.
Ms Kiely’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as a “gentle, funny and creative soul.” They said while the conclusion of the investigation offers some closure, it does not lessen the pain of losing a “kind, loving, and vibrant woman.”
Her children said their mother was more than her struggles, describing her as a devoted mum, daughter, sister, niece, and friend. They added that her story should encourage greater compassion toward people experiencing homelessness and those affected by mental health issues.
Sussex Police said Ms Kiely had become estranged from her family following a mental health breakdown and had been living in hostels and homeless shelters across the south of England. She was known to carry her belongings in a pushchair.
Officers said advances in forensic science played a key role in finally identifying the suspect more than two decades after the killing
