Doused in petrol & torched at Christmas – how mum’s murder remains unsolved 30yrs on despite her desperate last words
DOUSED in petrol and dumped in a churchyard at Christmas, Tracey Mertens was able to use her last breaths to give police key clues before she died.
Tragically, despite her bravery, the mum’s horrific murder remains unsolved 30 years on.
Now police have made a fresh appeal for information in the hope of finally securing justice for Tracey’s family.
Detective Inspector Nigel Reid said: “This week marks the 30th anniversary of Tracey’s death – a time that is understandably still very difficult for her family.
“Tracey met a violent and horrific death at the hands of her killers. She was so brave and told detectives as much as she could before she died.
“Although extensive enquiries have been completed, including arrests, forensic reviews, and CPS advice, to date no-one has been convicted in relation to the death of Tracey, and the file remains open.
“As an organisation, we continue to review undetected investigations and will always act on any new information.
“Therefore, as Tracey’s family prepares to spend another Christmas day without her, I would appeal to anyone who has any information about Tracey’s death to get in touch.”
The disturbing tale began on December 22, 1994, after Tracey travelled to her former home in Cattells Grove, Birmingham, to collect a benefits book.
She initially planned to return to her new house in Rochdale but instead visited her sister-in-law before returning to Cattells Grove for a final time.
Just before midday on December 23, the 31-year-old received a knock on the door and was confronted by two men.
Police believe she was abducted and bundled into the back of a yellow Ford Escort that was parked outside.
The mum was then driven to Christ Church in Eaton, Cheshire, where she was set on fire and left to die.
A member of the public found Tracey in the frosty churchyard with 95 per cent burns to her body.
Despite her horrific injuries, she clung to life for another 12 hours as she used her final breaths to help police.
Tracey revealed the men asked “where’s Joey” before she was snatched from her front door.
The mum also described her killers as two black men with Birmingham accents who also spoke Jamaican Patois.
Police launched a huge murder probe but the two men remain at large.
Tracey’s devastated family are now facing their 30th Christmas without the beloved mum.
Daughter Kelly Hill, who was 11 at the time of the horror, remembered hearing the door close as her mum left home for the final time.
She said: “I woke up and I ran over to the window and she was just getting in the car.
“I knocked on the window and I waved to her and she waved back. That was the last time I saw her.”
Kelly, now 40, said she can never let what happened to her mum go until someone faces justice.
She added: “Every Christmas it just breaks me again and again and I don’t know how to stop it.
“I don’t know how to stop feeling like this. I just wish it was a dream. I just wish I could wake up again 30 years ago so I could tell her not to go.”
Anyone with any information should contact the Operation Eaton investigation team on 101 quoting IML 1983827