Who Killed Mared and Karen? The Unsolved Aberystwyth Murders

The Disappearance

On the evening of January 27, 1999, Mared Parry and Karen Edwards, two students at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, vanished without a trace. The pair had been out for a night of dancing at the Rummers nightclub. When they failed to return home, their friends and family immediately grew concerned.

As the hours turned into days, a desperate search was launched. Police scoured the town and surrounding areas, but there was no sign of the missing women. The case quickly gained national attention, with appeals for information being broadcast across the country.

The Gruesome Discovery

On February 12, the bodies of Mared and Karen were discovered in dense woodland near the village of Abergynolwyn, Gwynedd. The location was approximately 50 miles from Aberystwyth, and the bodies had been concealed in a shallow grave.

Post-mortem examinations revealed that both women had been brutally murdered. Mared had suffered severe head injuries, while Karen had been strangled. The cause of death for both victims was ruled as blunt force trauma.

The Investigation

The murders of Mared and Karen sent shockwaves through the community. A major investigation was launched, and a team of experienced detectives was assigned to the case.

The investigation quickly focused on the victims' last known movements. Witnesses placed Mared and Karen leaving the Rummers nightclub at around 1:30 AM on the night of their disappearance. CCTV footage captured the pair walking down Bridge Street towards the university campus.

The Suspect

In the early stages of the investigation, the focus shifted to a local man known as Christopher Harris. Harris was a former student at the university who had previously been arrested for stalking and harassing female students.

Harris was questioned by police, but he denied any involvement in the murders. Despite extensive searches of his home and vehicle, no forensic evidence linking him to the crime was found.

The Unsolved Mystery

Despite the intense investigation, no charges were ever brought in relation to the murders of Mared and Karen. The case remains unsolved, and the killer or killers have never been identified.

Over the years, several theories have emerged about who may have been responsible for the murders. Some believe that the victims were killed by someone they knew, while others believe that they were targeted by a random attacker.

The Legacy

The murders of Mared and Karen left a lasting legacy of pain and devastation on their families and friends. The case also had a profound impact on the Aberystwyth community, where it shattered the sense of safety that had once prevailed.

In the years since the murders, there have been numerous appeals for information. The police have offered substantial rewards, and the families of the victims have made public pleas for justice.

The Search for Justice

The unsolved murders of Mared and Karen continue to haunt the people of Aberystwyth. The families of the victims have never given up hope that one day they will see justice for their loved ones.

In 2022, the case was reopened by the Dyfed-Powys Police. A team of cold case detectives is now reviewing the evidence in an effort to identify the killer or killers.

The murders of Mared and Karen remain one of the most notorious unsolved crimes in British history. The case has been the subject of numerous documentaries and television programs, and it continues to fascinate and horrify people to this day.

As we remember the victims and their families, let us hope that one day justice will prevail. Let us never forget the chilling tale of Mared and Karen, and let us strive to ensure that their deaths were not in vain.