Witnesses sought in Casey murder inquiry

Detectives investigating the murder of 13-year-old Casey Kearney in a Doncaster park have released a CCTV image of two people they think may be “vital witnesses”.

Officers are hoping a man and woman pictured in the video images can help with the investigation into the murder of the teenager, who was found with a fatal stab wound in Elmfield Park, on Valentine’s Day.

Casey had left her home at around midday on Tuesday February 14 and caught a bus to Doncaster town centre, where she intended to meet a friend.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She was attacked in the park and managed to call the police as a passer-by phoned for an ambulance. The teenager was taken to hospital but died later.

The people in the images released yesterday are just two of a number of potential witnesses South Yorkshire Police said it wanted to trace as part of its inquiry.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Superintendent Terry Mann said they were all in or around the park at the time of the attack.

He added: “It is important that we speak to as many people as possible who were in the vicinity of Elmfield Park at the time of the incident.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The individuals we are hoping to speak to may have information that they don’t feel is important but could be really useful to the investigation team.

“I urge anyone who believes that they may be one of the people described to contact us.”

The man in the pictures is white and about 6ft with brown, unkempt hair and could be in his early 20s.

He was wearing light blue jeans, unlaced brown ankle boots and was possibly carrying a bag.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was with an older woman, who is white, about 5ft 2in and of slim build.

She has either grey or blonde straight hair. She was wearing a black knee-length padded coat, black trousers worn over black boots, with a small heel.

Officers believe she could be related to the man.

The pair walked from the direction of the Salutation Pub in South Parade towards Elmfield Park and were captured on video at around 1.15pm, the time Casey was stabbed They had previously walked in the opposite direction, towards town from the direction of the park, at noon.

Police said they also wanted to trace a teenage couple who were sitting on a bench on the left hand side of the path just inside Elmfield Park’s entrance.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The male teenager was described by detectives as “well spoken” and had brown hair in what officers called a “Justin Bieber style”.

His friend was female, also well spoken and had blonde hair.

Detectives are also seeking three other women seen in the area on February 14.

One is a white woman, with blonde hair, who was wearing a cream or camel coloured sheepskin coat and was in the area of the park where Casey was being tended to.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The second woman is around 25 and of a petite or medium build.

She had mid-length brown hair and was wearing a black coat, which was three-quarter length and tied at the front. She also wore brown boots and a skirt.

The last woman was seen to walk away from the park. She was wearing a pink Barbour style coat with a pattern on the back, a pocket on the left breast and white and blue trousers.

The final potential witness is a man who was said to be leaning on the memorial outside Elmfield Park fastening his shoelace.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He was wearing a brown knee-length coat, trousers and shoes.

The spokeswoman said: “Police are also interested in hearing from anyone who was in the vicinity of Elmfield Park and South Parade between 1pm and 1.45pm on Tuesday, 14 February.

“If you have any information or helped Casey and have not already spoken to the police, please call the incident room on 01709 443510.”

Hundreds of people, including dozens of school friends, gathered at St Wilfrid’s Church, in the Cantley area of Doncaster, on Friday for Casey’s funeral.

Hannah Bonser, 26, has appeared in court charged with Casey’s murder and possession of two knives. She is in custody and due to appear next at Sheffield Crown Court on May 10.