PSNI '˜tantalisingly close' to catching German backpacker's killer

A senior detective has urged those shielding the killer of a German backpacker in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing.
Inga Maria Hausers body was found in Ballypatrick Forest in April 1988, two weeks after she arrived in Northern IrelandInga Maria Hausers body was found in Ballypatrick Forest in April 1988, two weeks after she arrived in Northern Ireland
Inga Maria Hausers body was found in Ballypatrick Forest in April 1988, two weeks after she arrived in Northern Ireland

Inga Maria Hauser, from Munich, was murdered 29 years ago shortly after arriving in the Province off a ferry from Scotland.

Her body was discovered two weeks later – on April 20 1988 – in a remote part of Ballypatrick Forest on the outskirts of Ballycastle, Co Antrim.

No one has ever been convicted. A man was arrested and questioned last year but later released without charge.

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray who has urged those shielding the killer of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser 29 years ago in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing. Photo: Paul Faith/PA WireDetective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray who has urged those shielding the killer of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser 29 years ago in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire
Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray who has urged those shielding the killer of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser 29 years ago in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire

PSNI Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray acknowledged “strenuous efforts” to find the killer or killers over the last three decades had yet to succeed, but he insisted the case was still active and officers remained “tantalisingly close” to catching those responsible.

A number of years ago, in one of the largest DNA screenings ever undertaken in the UK, 2,000 samples failed to produce a definitive match to a male genetic profile found at the murder scene.

Mr Murray said Ms Hauser had been the victim of a “vicious and ruthless assault”. Detectives believe whoever killed her had a sexual motive.

Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray who has urged those shielding the killer of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser 29 years ago in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing. Photo: Paul Faith/PA WireDetective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray who has urged those shielding the killer of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser 29 years ago in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire
Detective Chief Superintendent Raymond Murray who has urged those shielding the killer of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser 29 years ago in Northern Ireland that it is not too late to do the right thing. Photo: Paul Faith/PA Wire

“Through a DNA screening process, which was one of the largest ever conducted, several hundred people have been screened,” said Mr Murray.

“The large majority of these in Northern Ireland but also some in Great Britain.

“Extensive inquiries were also conducted with people who were on the ferry in 1988, despite there being incomplete passenger records.

“We have interviewed and recorded statements from hundreds of people and also carried out a renewed house-to-house strategy in 2011.

He added: “While it has to be recognised that Northern Ireland is dealing with a legacy of over 3,000 murders (linked to the Troubles), which is unique compared to any other European country, the PSNI is keen to bring Inga Maria’s murderer to justice.

“We still believe there are people in that community who know who killed Inga Maria and I would appeal to anyone who has any information, even at this late stage to contact police.

“We remain convinced that we are tantalisingly close to identifying Inga Maria’s killer or killers. If everyone who has information was prepared to place it before the courts then a different resolution to the case could be possible.

“Inga Maria’s family deserve to know what happened and bring them some degree of closure.”

Six years ago, police said they had narrowed their inquiries to a small cluster of villages in north Antrim.

Detectives believe more than one person may have been involved. They think the killer may hail from the rural region east of Ballymoney, incorporating the villages of Armoy, Loughgiel and Cloughmills.

His comments came as Assembly member John Dallat (see link below) vowed to continue pushing for justice.

The SDLP East Londonderry representative said the murder haunted him.

“At least one person out there and, more than likely a few, know exactly what happened to Inga when she disembarked from the Larne ferry and accepted a lift from a lorry driver believing she was on her way to Belfast rather than to an untimely grave in Ballypatrick Forest near Ballycastle,” he said.