The murder which shocked city 40 years ago today - Police still looking to track down killer of Julie Perigo
Julie’s death shocked the city forty years ago today and remains the city’s oldest unsolved murder
Forty years ago today on May 23, 1986, Julie Perigo was found brutally murdered in her flat with reports at the time describing the bloody scene encountered by the police officers who discovered her body.
On the anniversary of the discovery of Julie’s body, officers from Northumbria Police have said they will act on any new information to track down her killer.
Julie was found dead in her home on Kidderminster Road, in the Downhill area of the city. Her death remains the longest unsolved murder in Sunderland.
Reports at the time said Julie died of shock and bleeding after being the victim of multiple stab wounds.
Julie is reported to have been working as a prostitute at the time and had told a friend that she was due to meet a client at lunchtime on May 16, the same date she was last seen alive by a neighbour.
Police officers made the discovery when they forced their way into the mother of two’s flat after a relative was concerned about her welfare.
Her murder triggered a nationwide hunt in which more than 6,000 people were interviewed in connection with the 51-year-old’s death.
Three men were detained over her killing although they were all later freed without charge and no further arrests have been made.
Despite the thousands of interviews – which included tests taken after developments in DNA forensics later the same decade – her attacker has still not been caught.
After four decades since her murder, Northumbria Police confirmed the case remains open and pledged to act on any new information or evidence.
A spokesperson said: “This incident took place 40 years ago and our thoughts remain with Julie’s family and friends at this time.
“We will continue to act on any new lines of enquiry or information as we look to establish the circumstances surrounding Julie’s death.
“Unsolved murders are never closed and are all subject to periodic reviews. If any new information comes to light about any case, our detectives will ensure it is fully investigated.
“If you have any information that could help us with any of our unsolved cases, please call 101 or pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
The case is one of four unsolved murders in Sunderland, the most recent of which is that of Kieran Williams who was found in a makeshift grave between the Northern Spire Bridge and Claxheugh Rocks on May 31, 2022. Kieran, who was 18 at the time, was stabbed at least 23 times and his body set on fire.
On March 27, 2023, Louis Hackett, now 23, of Fordenbridge Square, Sunderland, was convicted of manslaughter. Following the trial, the judge said: “The real perpetrator or perpetrators have got away with it, justice has not been done”.
One of the two other currently unsolved murders is that of Amina Khatun, who was stabbed to death at her house in Manor View East, Concord, Washington, on December 30, 1994, in front of her three young children.
The final unsolved case is that of Robert Hutchinson, 56, who was last seen leaving his home in Corporation Road, in Hendon, Sunderland, at about 6.20pm on June 23, 2014.