Forensic review sparks reopening of 1972 `Ripper` murder of CND activist

Murder detectives are making a renewed bid to catch a killer who wrote `Ripper` on the wall after raping and strangling his victim nearly 45 years ago.

Anti-nuclear activist Amala Ruth De Vere Whelan, 22, was garroted with a stocking in the living room of her flat after being beaten and sexually assaulted.

The assailant, who has never been found, then sprayed the word `Ripper` onto the wall using detergent from a washing up bottle.

The cold case – one of Britain`s most chilling unsolved murders – has been brought to the attention of the Special Casework Investigation Team in the Metropolitan Police Service`s (MPS`) Homicide Command following a recent forensic review.

Ms Whelan disappeared on November 12, 1972. Her body was discovered several days later.

Detectives said there was no sign of forced entry to the flat in Randolph Avenue, Maida Vale, west London – suggesting she knew her killer or let him into the property where she had lived for just three weeks.

No suspect has ever been linked to the murder, despite a full forensic examination at the time.

Officers working on the case say they are particularly interested in speaking to Ms Whelan`s friends and relatives, one of whom is a sister who would now be aged about 56.

Detective Inspector Susan Stansfield, from the MPS` special casework investigation team, said: “More than 44 years have now passed since Amala`s death but I am convinced that someone, somewhere, knows the circumstances of her brutal murder.

“It was a long time ago but I`m sure there are people in the local area who remember Amala`s murder.”

She added: “Amala suffered a brutal death and the identity of the suspect has remained a mystery.

“She was a very popular and attractive female who had a wide social network of friends. She was an active member of the CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament) party and had numerous friends in the art world.”

A spokesperson for the MPS told Police Professional: “This case remains an unsolved murder and has been subject to a recent forensic review.

“As a result of this review the case was brought to the attention of the Special Casework Investigation Team, part of the Homicide Command.”