Detectives have finally identified the man responsible for the brutal murder of a woman in a seaside shelter twenty years ago, thanks to a single piece of overlooked DNA evidence.
The 2005 Seaside Murder
Jennifer Kiely, a 35-year-old woman, was discovered dead in a seafront shelter in Eastbourne in the early hours of January 22, 2005. The Sussex Fire Service made the grim find. She had suffered multiple stab wounds and an injury to the back of her head. Her body had also been set on fire. Police believed from the outset that the attack was sexually motivated.
Despite two arrests in 2005, no charges were ever brought. The case grew cold, leaving Jennifer's family without answers for two decades.
The Crucial DNA Clue
The breakthrough came from a cigarette butt recovered at the crime scene. Forensic analysis produced a full male DNA profile that matched samples found on Jennifer's body and in her blood. According to Sussex Police, DNA was also recovered from intimate areas, supporting the theory of a sexually motivated assault.
However, in 2005, this crucial profile did not match anyone on the national DNA database. The trail appeared to have gone cold.
Identifying the Killer: A Familial Search
In 2018, investigators employed a familial DNA strategy, a technique not available in 2005. This method uses the predictable inheritance patterns of DNA to identify potential relatives of an unknown suspect. The initial search returned thousands of names, which were painstakingly narrowed down.
This led police to the family of Keith Dowbekin, also known as Keith Black and Keith Broadbent. Dowbekin had died in 2014 at the age of 60. He was known in Eastbourne and, like Jennifer, was associated with the homeless community.
Police described the DNA evidence linking Dowbekin to the crime as 'overwhelming'. They only learned of his previous criminal history in 2024, upon formally declaring him a suspect. It was revealed that Dowbekin had been arrested by Norfolk Police in connection with two separate rape offences in Great Yarmouth in 2003 and 2004.
Missed Opportunities and Systemic Changes
The investigation highlighted significant gaps in past policing systems. Just seven days after Jennifer's murder, on January 29, 2005, Dowbekin was stopped at the Port of Dover for a standard check related to the killing. Officers had no record of his previous arrests.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Dunn explained the limitations of the time: 'In 2003 and 2004, there was no provision to take DNA from people who were arrested, DNA was only taken from those who were charged with an offence, that is different now.'
He added that cross-border intelligence sharing has also vastly improved. Shockingly, Dowbekin had once given a DNA sample as a witness to another murder, but as he was not a suspect, it was never added to the criminal database.
A Family's Statement and Lasting Legacy
Jennifer Kiely's family issued a moving statement following the resolution of the case. They described her as 'a gentle, funny and creative soul who loved music and cared deeply for others, even when life was hard.'
They expressed gratitude for the closure after 20 years but emphasised that it does not erase their loss. The family hopes her story will encourage compassion for those experiencing homelessness and challenge the stigma surrounding mental health.
'I hope her memory inspires others to look beyond stereotypes and extend compassion to those who are struggling,' the statement concluded.
