The body of a mum was found in a fire pit near a disused railway line years after she went missing.
Paula Hounslea was uncovered by a dog walker near the loop line cycle path in Fazakerley in May 2012 - three years after she went missing from her West Derby home. Paula, who was 37 at the time of her disappearance, worked as a bartender and seamstress and lived with her only daughter Lois on Culme Road.
Paula had gone to the Phoenix Palace on West Derby Road, known as Chows, for a family meal the day before her disappearance. The following morning, August 22, 2009, Lois claimed Paula had told her she was going to stay with a friend called Vicky for a few days.
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That evening Lois received a text message from Paula's phone confirming the plans, and Vicky also received a message supposedly sent by Paula saying she was going away, it read: "I need to go away for a few days. I am sorry x". But the alarm was raised when it was discovered Paula was not with Vicky and had not called her parents, which was said to be out of character.
Paula's cash card was used to withdraw a total of £850 following her disappearance. Merseyside Police said both Paula and her daughter knew the pin number for the card. In June 2012, the month after Paula's burnt remains were found, Lois and her boyfriend Kevin Kavanagh, then aged 21 and 20 respectively, were arrested on suspicion of murder.
They were bailed the following day, and Paula's house was sealed off for forensic examinations. But Kevin and Lois were released without charge in August 2013 due to insufficient evidence.
Prosecutors said there was not enough evidence to charge Lois and her boyfriend because there was "no realistic prospect of conviction". They said at the time that position would be reconsidered if new evidence ever emerged.
Merseyside Police told the ECHO this week the murder investigation has never been closed and officers urge anyone with information to come forward. Kevin Clague, the head of the Serious Crime Review Unit, said: "Over the years we have spoken to witnesses and made two arrests, but never managed to secure enough evidence to charge anyone in connection with Paula Hounslea's death.
"The person who did this has lived with this on their conscience for 14 years. Friendships and loyalties can change over this time and we are still appealing for anyone with information to please come forward. A murder investigation is never closed.
"Unsolved murders are subject of biennial reviews, and these reviews take into account present day developments in forensic technology. I would urge people in the community for their help with the investigation and that it is not too late to come forward with any information you may have, no matter how small."
When Paula's body was found in Fazakerley, a 20cm kitchen knife was alongside her. Melted blue plastic used to make wheelie bins was also found. The knife was similar to those bought by Paula and kept at her home in Culme Road.
Police were unable to establish exactly when Paula was killed but believed her remains had been dumped sometime between September 2011 and January 2012. It took a week to identify the body using medical and dental records.
An inquest into her death in 2014 heard 176 phone calls were made to Paula's voicemail after disappearance from her friend Vicky, her parents and her sisters. Paula had booked a room at a hotel for the night of the disappearance and paid in advance but never arrived.
Lois was twice summoned to appear at her mum's inquest in April 2014 but failed to attend due to an asthma attack. Her boyfriend appeared in the witness box but said he had been advised not to answer questions put by the coroner, Andre Rebello, to avoid incrimination.
He refused to respond when the coroner asked: "Were you either alone or with another responsible for the death of Paula Hounslea?" or when Paula’s dad Steve said: "Stand there and tell us that you had nothing to do with it." Of Lois, the coroner said: "There was a witness that I would have liked the opportunity of asking questions but she isn’t here."
Speaking to Paula’s family, he said: "There will never be true justice until all the missing pieces of this jigsaw are put in place but hopefully you now have a framework for most of the story so hopefully you can now celebrate Paula’s life and all of her memories."
Police said the case remains open.
Information can be left by calling the police on 101. Alternatively, anyone wishing to remain anonymously can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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