Update on fresh inquest into Eastbourne student’s murder

A call for a fresh inquest into the death of an Eastbourne art student more than 30 years ago is now being considered by the Attorney General.
By AnneMarie Field
Published 30th Jun 2020, 11:05 BST
Updated 30th Jun 2020, 11:32 BST
Jessie Earl, whose remains were discovered in undergrowth at Beachy Head nine years after she disappeared in Eastbourne.Jessie Earl, whose remains were discovered in undergrowth at Beachy Head nine years after she disappeared in Eastbourne.
Jessie Earl, whose remains were discovered in undergrowth at Beachy Head nine years after she disappeared in Eastbourne.

Jessie Earl was 22 when she disappeared in May 1980 in the town and after her remains were found in dense scrubland at Beachy Head in 1989, an inquest recorded an open verdict.

Her parents John and Valerie, who live in London, say it is obvious their daughter met a violent death as Jessie’s incomplete skeletal remains were discovered and her bra had been used to tie her wrists together.

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They applied to the Attorney General Suella Braverman QC MP fto refer the matter to the High Court to officially quash the open verdict and order a new hearing be opened and the chief legal adviser to the Crown’s office has confirmed this week the application is being considered.

Jessie Earl ENGSUS00120120621101544Jessie Earl ENGSUS00120120621101544
Jessie Earl ENGSUS00120120621101544

A spokesperson said, “In considering whether to grant her consent to an application, the Attorney General must be satisfied that there is a reasonable prospect of the application succeeding in the High Court. Should the Attorney General provide her authority, it will then be for the High Court to determine whether it is in the interests of justice for a new inquest to be held.”

Three prominent legal personalities are backing the Earls along with investigative journalist and former detective Mark Williams-Thomas. A GoFundMe page was also set up to help pay for the legal fight.

Jessie’s family say that because Sussex Police undertook a review in 2001 and recorded Jessie’s case as murder, an open verdict cannot be allowed to stand.

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John Earl said, “Jessie didn’t get herself killed by accident, suicide or anything else. She was naked, she had been tied up with her bra. She was murdered. We need a new inquest and to get justice for Jessie.”

In recent years Jessie’s death has been linked to serial killer Peter Tobin but Sussex Police insists there is nothing to link him and Jessie’s disappearance and death.

Call for fresh inquest

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