Detectives probing the unsolved murder of a young Bradford mother ten years ago, are hoping that advances in forensic technology could provide vital clues to the identity of her killer.

Tomorrow will be the tenth anniversary of the killing of sex worker Rebecca Hall, 19, known as Becky.

Her naked and battered body was found in an alleyway off Thornton Street, in Bradford’s red light district, on April 26, 2001, two weeks after she went missing.

Becky disappeared on Good Friday, April 13, after leaving her home at Lydford House, off Elizabeth Street, Little Horton, at 10pm.

She sustained a vicious and brutal beating and died from severe head injuries.

Detectives believed she had been heading for her “beat” on Thornton Road when she was snatched from the street.

A passer-by made the gruesome discovery of her body at a place regularly used by prostitutes and their clients. Her clothes were found nearby.

At the time Becky had a four-month-old son, Jordan. He is now being brought up in Bradford by his grandmother.

Renewing appeals for help to trace Becky’s killer, Detective Superintendent Sukhbir Singh, of West Yorkshire Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Becky’s son is now ten and doing well, but still doesn’t fully understand what happened to his mum.

“Her family all miss her terribly and want to know what happened and to see somebody charged with her murder.”

Det Supt Singh vowed: “Even though it has been ten years since Becky’s murder we will never close the book on the investigation. I would warn the person who has so far evaded us that this case is still very much open and the hunt for Becky’s murderer goes on.

“I would appeal to anybody with any information to contact the police. Becky’s killer must be caught and you could hold the vital piece of information we are looking for.”

Det Supt Singh said technological advances could hold the potential for a breakthrough.

He added: “It is ten years since the discovery of Becky’s body and there has been significant progress in the field of forensic science. We regularly liaise with our partners at the Forensic Science Service to review the investigation and make the most of any development opportunities.”

He asked people to cast their minds back ten years and if anyone remembered seeing or hearing anything, however trivial it might have seemed, which could potentially help in the hunt for Becky’s killer, to come forward.

Weeks after the murder, police launched a poster campaign, distributing 250, featuring a photograph of the teenager, for display in police stations, shop windows, bus shelters and community halls across Bradford.

Detectives also believed Becky’s £30 limited edition watch could hold the key to the inquiry, but it was never found.

A number of potential suspects have been eliminated from the inquiry over the years, and hundreds of DNA profiles of men examined.

One suspect considered but never linked with the inquiry was parcel delivery driver John Taylor, who was convicted of the kidnap and murder of Leeds schoolgirl Leanne Tiernan in 2003.

Recently, Becky’s was one of a number of unsolved cases about which detectives wanted to question Crossbow Cannibal Stephen Griffiths. But police say there is no evidence to link him to the murder.

Anyone with any information should contact HMET on (01924) 334745, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.