Murdered Caroline Graham

DETECTIVES have drafted in specialist forensic scientists to help in the search for the remains of murdered teenager Caroline Graham.

Officers from the PSNI’s Major Investigation Team south region have been using dogs trained to find human remains in the search for the 19-year-old.

Ms Graham had been living in Hanover Street, Portadown, when she vanished in 1989.

A fresh search of the house began on Monday and as a result of “indications” by the dogs, scientists have been asked to examine some items in the property.

It is understood that the items are not body parts.

A police spokesman said the house search was continuing on Tuesday and is expected to run into a third day.

The search is being conducted with the consent of the current owner who police believe has no knowledge of the events of 1989.

Officers have carried out a number of searches in the Portadown area over the years, but Caroline’s body has not been found.

Detective Chief Inspector Peter Montgomery, who is leading the investigation, said: “It is more than 25 years since Caroline was last seen and almost two years since the most recent phase of investigative activity resumed.

“Despite all the hurdles posed by the passage of time, I still believe that a form of closure is possible for Caroline and her family.

“Our appeals for information have been productive. In general, people have been very helpful.

“We are now at a point where it is appropriate to once again begin a planned search operation, primarily to locate Caroline’s remains, but also as an important part of the overall investigation into her murder.”

He said Caroline had been for a night out in Banbridge with a girlfriend and had stayed part of the night in a hostel in Portadown, but was gone in the morning.

Ch Insp Montgomery said police have information that she returned to Hanover Street to get some clothes. She has not been seen since.

“I believe she was murdered some time later and that her remains are somewhere in Portadown,” he said.

“All our enquiries lead us to believe there is more than one person who knows exactly where Caroline is buried.

“We need them to come forward and tell us exactly what they know.

“Whoever is responsible for Caroline’s murder may have spoken to people and they may know exactly what has happened to Caroline.”

The detective added that two men, possibly off-duty soldiers, who gave Caroline a lift in a black Ford XR3i on the night before she disappeared had yet to come forward.

He said the men are not being treated as suspects, but need to come forward.

In June, a pensioner was arrested for questioning but was late released without charge.

The same month Caroline’s mother Barbara made an emotional appeal on the 25 anniversary of her daughter’s murder for anyone with information to get in touch..