What happened to Deborah Wood and who the killer might be

Almost three decades after the murder of a 20-year-old woman rocked Yorkshire, a Channel 4 show will attempt to uncover her mystery killer. On January 4, 1996 Deborah Wood met her father to enjoy a drink in Big Lil's Bar, Leeds. The image of the young factory worker leaving the pub alone is sadly the last time she was ever seen alive.

Some 10 days later Deborah's body was found in Burley station where it had been doused in petrol and set alight. No one has been convicted for her tragic murder which gripped northern England in the months and years that followed.

READ MORE: 4 brothers died in house fire surrounded by rubbish and human excrement

This is despite multiple appeals for witnesses and vital evidence such as her necklace being found. The Channel 4 show In the Footsteps of Killers aims to take apart this mystery amid continued calls for justice.

Who Deborah Wood's family believe may have killed her

Craig Wood, the heartbroken brother of Deborah, believes he was killed by convicted child murderer and serial rapist John Taylor. Taylor is currently serving a life sentence for the murder of 16-year-old Leanne Tiernan in 2000.

Mr Wood said he planned to write to Taylor earlier this year in the hope he would admit to her murder - citing haunting similarities between Leanne's and Deborah's murders.

Mr Wood says Taylor kept Leanne's bound body in cold storage before burying her in woodland. It is believed Deborah was also kept in storage as there was still alcohol in her system when she was found. Both victims had been wrapped in a duvet and then a bin bag before their bodies were dumped. He added that Taylor lived just 10 minutes from the station where Deborah's charred body was found.

Speaking to the Sun, Mr Wood said: “I’ve been thinking about writing to him asking for answers. He’s only in Wakefield prison - it’s not more than seven miles away. I’d say to him ‘you’ve got nothing to lose - just tell me’. He’s not getting out so what’s he got to lose? He’s got nothing to gain from not telling the truth."

He added: "If you look at all the circumstantial evidence, there is a lot to link Taylor to my sister’s murder. But the biggest thing is that bar staff at Big Lil’s have confirmed that Taylor used to drink there. He used to go around the tables being a pest to women and causing a nuisance. So we know he was a regular in the same pub where Deborah was last seen. To me, that’s just too much of a coincidence.”

Mr Wood believes a necklace found in John Taylor's car after Leanne Tiernan's murder in 2000 belonged to his sister - stating the "circumstantial evidence" is not a coincidence. He told the Channel 4 show: “I was watching a documentary of Leanne Tiernan and near the end the police said they’d discovered a necklace lodged down the side of the boot in John Taylor’s car. That’s the strange thing about this case."

The true extent of Taylor's crimes was only revealed in 2000 when he was locked up for murdering Leanne. He was also convicted of a string of rapes and unsolved sex attacks. He has since also been linked to the killings of sex workers Donna Healey in 1991 and Yvonne Fitts in 1992. Chillingly, Yvonne's body was discovered buried in Lindley Woods in North Yorkshire - just 100 yards from where Leanne was found.

Following a renewed appeal last year West Yorkshire Police said it met with family members to discuss their concerns and continue to keep in regular contact. A spokesperson said: "Our thoughts also remain with Deborah’s family at this time, and we remain committed to getting justice for them.

"We do not comment on third-party connections to an undetected crime. Deborah’s murder remains an open investigation and evidence will continue to be reviewed in light of any new information. Anyone with information can call police on 101."

In the Footsteps of Killers will air tonight (Monday, September 16) on Channel 4 at 10.40pm.