Vera Holland’s family renews appeal 30 years after murder

The family of Vera Holland has renewed its appeal for information 30 years after the 47-year-old was murdered in Reading, as Thames Valley Police continues to review the unsolved case.

Holland was last seen on 14 November 1996, after leaving her home in St Barnabas Road to buy a takeaway from a KFC in Shinfield Road. Her body was found two days later at a fly-tip near the Thames Water pumping station on the A327, between Arborfield and Shinfield. She had been strangled.

Her daughter, Dawn Bennett, said the family felt the loss every day. She described Holland as devoted to her family and a proud grandmother of seven, and urged anyone with information to contact police, however small it might seem.

Investigators believe Holland did not reach the KFC because she was not seen on its CCTV. She was wearing a pink coat, green tartan shirt, black jumper and black shoes; none of the items has been recovered.

Peter Beirne, of Thames Valley Police’s Major Crime Review Team, appealed to anyone who may have been frightened to speak at the time, or who thought someone else had already contacted police, to come forward. The force said local officers would distribute leaflets and posters in the area over the coming days.

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 0529 (6/11), or email majorcrimereviewteam@thamesvalley.police.uk.