Investigation into death of Baby April in Ashford in 1995

Kent Police is using the 30th anniversary of the discovery of the body of a baby in Ashford to make a renewed appeal for information from the public.

The newborn child, who was named 'Baby April' by investigators, was found dead at Singleton Lake on 3 April 1995.

Police believe she died of asphyxiation as her body showed signs that she had been prevented from breathing.

Baby April weighed 7lbs and her date of birth was estimated to have been between 25 March and 3 April 1995, the week before she was found dead. Her body had been wrapped in a Kleenex tissue bag inside a Motaworld bag.

Evidence review

An extensive murder investigation took place following the discovery of her body, but detectives were unable to identify her parents or any relatives.

In May 2011, police exhumed her body at Bybrook Cemetery in order to get a full DNA profile. She was then laid to rest again at the cemetery.

Sadly, the newer DNA sample did not lead to any major breakthrough in the investigation and the case remains unsolved.

Thirty years on, Kent Police is now carrying out a review of the case, assisted by developments in DNA profiling and forensic science.

At the same time, officers are appealing to anyone who may have information about the case to come forward.

Time to come forward

Detective Inspector Lee Neiles, of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said:

'This is a horrific case of a newborn baby girl being killed and discarded in a lake. 'April would be 30 years old now, and who knows what she would be contributing to society, but someone ended her life in the most unimaginable way and prevented that young baby growing up to be a girl and a woman. 'I have no doubt someone out there has information in relation to this case, and now that three decades have passed, it has to be the time to do the right thing and come forward, so that we can get justice for April. 'Advances in forensic science, particularly familial DNA, now give us an even better chance of establishing who her parents are. We urge the mother of April to come forward now, rather than we come to you.'

Anyone with information should call Kent Police on 01622 652006, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or complete their online form.

Information can also be submitted via our online portal.