Suffolk Police Issues Apology to Survivor of Serial Killer Steve Wright
Suffolk Police has formally apologised to the sole surviving victim of serial killer Steve Wright, known as the "Suffolk Strangler," regarding her dissatisfaction with how her case was managed. However, the force has stopped short of promising a comprehensive inquiry into the matter.
Victim's Harrowing Account of 1999 Abduction Attempt
Emily Doherty, who was 22 years old and a newlywed at the time, recounted to Sky News how Wright attempted to kidnap her in Felixstowe in 1999. She described feeling dismissed as a "silly little girl" when she reported the terrifying incident to the police. Ms Doherty expressed frustration that officers failed to pursue a thorough investigation, even after the body of 17-year-old Victoria Hall was discovered shortly thereafter.
Ms Doherty poignantly stated: "You can't help thinking, if they had taken me seriously, Vicky could have survived, but certainly if they had found him sooner the five other women would still be here."
Police Response and Limited Commitment to Review
Assistant Chief Constable of Suffolk Police, Alice Scott, extended an apology, saying: "We're really sorry that Emily doesn't feel that she had the service she wanted back in 1999." She acknowledged that the information provided by Ms Doherty contributed to the circumstantial evidence used to secure Wright's conviction last week for the murder of Victoria Hall and the attempted abduction.
Despite the apology, when pressed about supporting an inquiry, Ms Scott offered only a cautious response: "We will review where we're at to see if there's anything we can learn from this case." She defended the original investigation, insisting that the constabulary was appropriately resourced and provided necessary support, though she admitted it was one of the largest cases the force had handled at that time.
Wright's Crimes and Recent Convictions
Steve Wright, infamous as the Suffolk Strangler, was recently jailed for the murder of Victoria Hall, who vanished on 19 September 1999 from a village near Felixstowe. The night before her disappearance, Wright had tried to abduct Ms Doherty, who managed to escape by running, hiding, and seeking refuge in a local couple's home. Wright later went on to murder five women in the Ipswich area in 2006, with his recent convictions bringing some closure to these long-standing cases.
Ms Scott confirmed that Wright is not currently a suspect in any other unsolved crimes, but the force remains open-minded. She assured that today, with advancements in technology, forensics, and CCTV, a report like Ms Doherty's would be taken very seriously.
Survivor's Call for Accountability and Family Closure
Ms Doherty emphasised that the damage from the initial police response has been profound, affecting not only her but also the families of Wright's other victims. She stated: "There would be people still alive. There would be families not grieving now. It has been troubling me for 26 years." She is advocating for a review to provide answers for Victoria Hall's loved ones, asserting: "It's for the family (of Victoria). I'm here. I survived."
While critical of the past handling, Ms Doherty praised the recent police team for their supportive approach since the case was reopened, noting they "could not be more apologetic to me." Ms Scott expressed pride in the current investigation team, who were commended by the trial judge for reviewing a vast amount of material.
