Lyn Bryant 1998 murder appeal gets 100 calls to police

Lyn Bryant was described as a lovely, "very family-orientated" person

Officers received more than 100 calls from the public in the 48 hours after a police appeal about a brutal murder.

Lyn Bryant, 40, was found dead in the gateway of a field on Cornwall's remote Roseland Peninsula on 20 October 1998.

Police said recent "scientific advances" meant they now had partial DNA evidence of the killer.

Fresh appeals for information have led to nine new lines of inquiry, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Mrs Bryant with Jay, the family lurcher, she was walking at the time of her death

Mrs Bryant was killed while walking the family dog near her home.

Detectives have said they believe Mrs Bryant's murder was sexually motivated because of the way her clothes had been disturbed.

She suffered stab wounds to her back, neck and chest.

• Latest news and updates from Cornwall

Mrs Bryant with her daughters Erin and Lee

Investigators and Mrs Bryant's family hope new evidence - a partial DNA profile recovered from her body and swabs from the scene - uncovered in 2015 during a forensic review of the case, will lead to a resolution.

On Monday, officers launched a new public appeal for information on the 20th anniversary of the mother-of-two's murder as part of the ongoing investigation.

"The response and the interest from the public has been fantastic," said retired detective inspector and current senior investigating officer Stuart Ellis.

"I am convinced that the public holds the key to this investigation," he said.

A £10,000 reward has been offered by the charity Crimestoppers for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer.

Anyone with information is asked to call the dedicated incident room number on 0800 096 1233.

Mrs Bryant's glasses were found at the scene on 2 February 1999

• 20 October 1998 at 13:30 - The mother-of-two sets out on her regular walk with the family dog - a lurcher - and is seen in the lane towards Ruan High Lanes Methodist Chapel

• 13:45-14:00 - A motorist sees Mrs Bryant talking to a clean-shaven man at the junction by the chapel

• 14:30 - Mrs Bryant's body is found in the gateway to a field a short distance from the junction

• 2 February 1999 - Her missing glasses are found by the gateway in the mud

• 2015 - Scientists get a partial DNA profile during a forensic review of the case

• October 2016 - Police start retaking DNA samples nationally