Detectives are still exploring ways to catch a killer who has so far escaped justice after brutally stabbing a young woman to death on a train 38 years ago. Debbie Linsley's body was discovered aboard the 14.16 Orpington-to-Victoria train on March 23, 1988. The carriage she was in was covered in blood, with some of this belonging to her attacker as she had fought back.

She had been given a lift to Petts Wood station in South London by her brother Gordon, as she was travelling back to her home in Edinburgh. That was the last time she was seen alive. Somewhere on the train between there and London Victoria the 26-year-old senior hotel receptionist was stabbed to death.

Her killer stabbed her 11 times, to her face, neck and abdomen, with five of the wounds being to the area around her heart.

Her body was eventually found at 2.50pm that day while the train was at London Victoria's platform two, after a British Rail porter walked through the train. It is not thought that the attack was a robbery gone wrong, as her jewellery had not been taken and nor had a £5 note that her brother had given her.

The weapon used has never been recovered, but it is believed to have been five to seven-and-a-half inches long with a heavy blade. Ms Linsley had been sitting in a closed-compartment style carriage at the time of her murder.

Due to her fighting back, her attacker's blood was found at the scene, and police have a full DNA profile.

But despite familial DNA testing a match has never been uncovered and no-one has ever been arrested for her murder.

Following her daughter's death, Marguerite Linsley said her daughter was aware of the dangers of travelling in that style of train carriage and would usually avoid doing so.

Detectives at the time believed she had sat there so she could have a cigarette, as they were the only carriages where passengers could smoke.

It is thought that she had at least one cigarette and had started to eat one of her sandwiches before she met her killer.

There were approximately 70 people on the train but the only one who appeared to have heard anything was an 18-year-old French au pair, who was seated in the adjacent compartment.

She says she had heard screams that lasted for about two minutes shortly after the train had departed Brixton.

MyLondon reports the au pair said: "I had never heard such screams. They stopped for about five seconds and started again. She called out as if for help. They were screams of fear and very, very loud. I wanted to use the alarm but I remained glued to my seat."

Ms Linsley was buried in the bridesmaid's dress she would have worn to her brother's wedding two weeks after her murder.

Both of her parents died without seeing anyone charged for their daughter's death.

Speaking to the News Shopper newspaper back in 2005, her mother said: "We have given up hope. They do not usually catch them when it is this long. I think I knew six months after she died they weren't going to catch him."

But she said the family were relieved when detectives began re-examining the case in 2002, after advances in forensic science techniques meant the full DNA profile of the killer could be created.

She said: "When they first closed the case it was as if her life had never been. Now I know even if they do not catch somebody they have tried. It's not closed and that is just one small ray of hope."

A Met Police spokesperson said: "The investigation into the murder of 26-year-old Debbie Linsley remains open, with detectives exploring ways to identify the suspect using DNA evidence.

"Detectives have a full DNA profile of the suspect are continuing to explore all opportunities, including advancements in technology.

"The current investigation is being led by the Met's Specialist Casework Investigation Team which investigates unsolved, historical cases. 38 years on, we continue to appeal for anyone who has information which may assist detectives to contact police, or alternatively contact independent charity Crimestoppers completely anonymously."

Anyone with information about the murder can call the Met Police on 101 or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.