Killer who shot innocent woman on doorstep 30 years ago in mistaken identity is still at large

Police have issued a renewed appeal 30 years after an innocent woman was murdered on her doorstep by a man disguised as a delivery driver - in a case of mistaken identity. Karen Reed, 33, was shot five times at close range outside her home in Woking, Surrey on April 30, 1994.

Detectives have always believed the murder was a contract killing - and Karen, who had no involvement in criminal activity, was the wrong target. A murder probe was launched and officers followed thousands of lines of enquiry which reached out into Essex, Hertfordshire and London.

But Karen's killer remains at large three decades on. Surrey Police say they are "determined" to solve the cold case as a new appeal was issued for the anniversary today (April 30). Det Chief Insp Gareth Hicks, the senior investigating officer in Karen's case, said: “Even though 30 years have passed since the murder of Karen Reed, we remain determined to find those responsible for her death.

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“Somebody out there knows who killed her - whether it’s the individual who pulled the trigger, or those who were assigned to arrange this contract killing and we urge them to come forward so that justice is done for Karen and her family and friends.

“Karen was an innocent young woman who was loved by those who knew her. She had absolutely no involvement in criminal activity, and we have always believed that this murder was a case of mistaken identity and a contract killing which went wrong."

Karen was at her home in Willow Way on The Barnsbury Estate around 9.15pm on Saturday, 30 April 1994 when she answered the door to the man she believed to be a pizza delivery driver. The man, described as tall, dark-haired, wearing glasses and holding a blue and white pizza box, asked her to confirm the address, which she did before she was shot at close range five times.

An ambulance was called but Karen sadly died at the scene. The murder probe followed 3,000 lines of enquiry and obtained 1,700 statements. But Karen’s killer has never been identified and held accountable. Two weeks prior to Karen’s murder, officers had pursued a car acting suspiciously in the Woking area.

The driver of the red Vauxhall Cavalier decamped the vehicle and ran off. On further inspection of the vehicle, officers found an automatic pistol fitted with a silencer as well as a marked map to The Barnsbury Estate. As well as this, they found a large black handled commando knife in a black leather sheath, a black Delsey Bag plus a rare Olney blue tartan cap.

Investigating officers believe that this was the driver’s first attempt at carrying out the assassination. The murder, known as Operation Lilac, was featured on Crimewatch in March 2021 but still remains unsolved. Surrey Police say they are still committed to cracking the case. Det Chief Insp Hicks added: "It’s time for the people who now what happened to do the right thing and come forward to help us.”

Anyone with information should upload it to the force's Major Incident Public Portal online. You can also contact Surrey Police via webchat or by calling 101. Alternatively, people can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.