IT'S just over a year since teenager Louise Sellars was brutally murdered and her body dumped in a field.

This week her friend Christopher Simpson, of Euxton, spoke exclusively to the Chorley Citizen of the anguish he and her family have endured over the past 12 months as the search for the killer continues.

Christopher, 16, of Hawkshead Avenue had known Louise for five years and had spoken to her the night before she was murdered.

He said: "I was on my way to the Charity Shield game between Blackburn Rovers and Everton when she 'phoned. She said she'd call back later.

"When I came home the next day I was told her body had been found and that she had been murdered. It didn't sink in.

"The funeral was a celebration of her life with her favourite music played at the church, and her coffin horse-drawn to the burial ground followed by a party that went into the night."

The body of Louise of Appley Bridge, Wigan, was discovered in a field behind Billinge Hospital near St Helens on August 12 last year. She had been strangled and battered to death. There have been no arrests which worries Christopher.

He said: "The person who killed her is still at large which means he or she could strike again.

"At the time police spoke to all her friends and interviewed me four times asking me what she was like, when I had last seen her, and where I was on the night, which got to me a bit.

"It felt strange seeing it all dragged up on Crimewatch on television. It made me remember what she was like, so caring, so friendly and very sweet. It dragged all the tragedy back up again.

"Her parents are still very down like me - they can't understand why it happened. Louise was such a nice person. The anniversary has brought it all back.

"Like the police, I think somebody is sheltering the killer. I know I couldn't live a normal life after doing something like that. Somebody must know something and if they do they should come forward and help bring someone to justice."

If you have any information on Louise's killer contact Wigan Police on (0161) 872 5050.

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