THE DETECTIVE investigating the historic murder of a mother-of-three says an Eastern European man who may have been a suspect may hold vital clues.

Jennifer Kiely, 35, was killed in a seafront shelter in Eastbourne in January 2005.

The mum-of-three had been stabbed repeatedly, then her body was burned when the shelter was torched.

Sussex Police have reopened the investigation after new evidence came to light.

The force made an appeal on BBC Crimewatch this week, where vital new details were revealed which could help to finally catch Jennifer’s killer.

Her mother Margaret Kiely said: “I think of her every day. Somebody, somewhere, knows who is responsible.”

Detective Superintendent Emma Heater said DNA was left at the crime scene and scientists have now found new ways to test it.

The officer said Jennifer was well known in Eastbourne among charities, particularly the Salvation Army, and had many friends.

She had spent her last day with them at an address in Upperton Gardens. She had a bath and left at about midnight on January 21, 2005.

Det Supt Heater said: “She was last seen at about 1am, walking west along the seafront in the direction of Holywell. Her body was found by council workers at 5am.”

The first investigation closed in May 2007, and the case featured on BBC Crimewatch where the force offered a £10,000 reward for information.

A review in 2009 was made, but there was no new evidence available. But since 2011 Det Supt Heater said it has been a “live” case.

Now, there may be one suspect, a person who the police have not yet been able to trace.

The detective said: “One person we have yet to trace and eliminate from the investigation is a man seen that night walking along the middle of the road at the rear of the Grand Hotel.

“He was described as Eastern European by his accent and appearance.

“He was about 5ft 10ins, of slim to medium build. His hair was a lighter blond colour, short but in no particular style. His face was roundish and he had dominant cheek and jaw lines and his nose was very straight.

“He was wearing a dark blue short jacket which had a collar and it was zipped right up to beneath his chin.

“He also wore a pair of grey jeans, they definitely weren't track suit trousers or normal trousers. On his feet he was wearing white training shoes.”

Anyone with information should contact Sussex Police online or call 101 and quote Operation Kittiwake.