Murder of woman who vanished for takeaway remains unsolved 30 years on

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 19:26 · Archive

Vera Holland, 47, disappeared while buying a takeaway in November 1996 and was found strangled on a fly-tip.

Vera Holland, 47, disappeared on the evening of 14 November 1996 when she left her home in Reading to buy a takeaway from a nearby KFC. Her body was discovered by firefighters responding to reports of a blaze near a fly-tip known as the 'Two Bridges' some 36 hours later, on 16 November 1996. She was found partially clothed and lying face down amongst burning rubbish. A post-mortem examination established that she had been strangled.

Three decades later, the case remains unsolved. Thames Valley Police have issued an appeal for information on the 30th anniversary of the murder, asking people to 'think back to November 1996 and consider whether seemingly ordinary memories might now have significance'. The force noted that the month coincided with the Spice Girls' debut album release and Bill Clinton's US Presidential Election victory, and that the UK Snooker Championship was taking place when Ms Holland's body was discovered.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Vera's daughter Dawn Bennett said they 'feel the loss and heartbreak of losing her every day'. She described her mother as 'a devoted mother' and 'a very proud grandmother of seven' who was 'robbed of the chance to watch her grandchildren grow'. Bennett appealed directly for information: 'Someone out there knows exactly what happened to our mum. I implore you to come forward and contact the police with any piece of information, no matter how small.'

How it is being reported

• Cold case appeal for Vera Holland who disappeared while out buying a KFC 30 years agoVera Holland, 47, was last seen on the evening of November 14 1996 when she went to get a KFC for her familyThe Independent · 14 Nov, 19:04
• Murder of mum who vanished while getting takeaway remains a mystery 30 years onVera Holland, 47, was last seen alive on November 14, 1996, after she left her home in St Barnabas Road in Reading, Berkshire, to buy a takeaway from a nearby KFC (Picture: Thames Valley Police) The daughter of a woman whose murder remains unsolved after 30 years has said ‘someone out there knows…Metro · 14 Nov, 16:08

In this story: Vera Holland · Dawn Bennett · Thames Valley Police · Reading

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