Police offer £50k reward to find killer who sexually assaulted and strangled schoolgirl Lisa Hession

Police have renewed their appeal for information about the 1984 murder of Lisa Hession, offering a £50k reward.

Police have renewed their appeal for information regarding the murder of a schoolgirl 40 years ago, offering a £50,000 reward for details that lead to a conviction.

Lisa Hession, 14, was sexually assaulted and strangled in an alleyway as she walked home from a party, just 180 meters from her house on Bonnywell Road in Leigh, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) reported.

Her body was discovered by a passerby on December 8, 1984.

Lisa’s mother, Christine, had expected her to return by 10:30 pm and reported her missing just 15 minutes later, at 10:45 pm, according to GMP.

A £50,000 reward remains available for information that leads to the identification and conviction of Lisa’s killer.

Marking the anniversary of her death, GMP stated: “Despite our efforts and obtaining a DNA sample, which could lead us to a detection and the conviction of Lisa’s killer, we have never found a match, and no-one has ever been charged with Lisa’s murder.

“Sadly, Lisa’s mum, Christine, passed away in 2016 without the knowledge of who killed her daughter.”

The police have once again urged anyone with information about that night to come forward, emphasizing that even seemingly insignificant details could be crucial to the case.

“No matter how small or insignificant you think it may be, it could be a vital piece of the puzzle that could help us solve this four-decade-long case and finally get some closure for Lisa’s family and friends, and a community that still mourns her loss,” GMP said.

Martin Bottomley, head of GMP’s Cold Case Unit, added: “In what is the 40th anniversary of Lisa’s death, we want to let her loved ones, friends and the community know that we are committed to not losing hope on getting answers.

“This case has been subject to a number of reviews since 1984. The reviews have concentrated on using advances in forensic techniques and investigating all information provided to GMP by members of the public.

“Lisa, a young teenager, who was a keen gymnast and ran cross-country for Leigh Harriers, had her whole life ahead of her, and somebody took that away from her.

“Her mother, Christine, never got to see her daughter grow up, and she died never knowing who killed Lisa.

“Sadly, the case still remains undetected but will always be open until Lisa’s killer is brought to justice, and any information received will be followed up appropriately.”