Sandra Phillips, 37, a mother of four, was working at the Private Shop in Dillwyn Street on 14 June 1985 when she was attacked. She was beaten, strangled and sexually assaulted before her body was discovered in a pool of blood at 1.45pm. Petrol had been poured over her and around the shop, but not ignited.
The case, widely known at the time as the “Swansea Sex Shop murder”, made national headlines and has remained unsolved for four decades.
Today’s police statement
South Wales Police confirmed that a number of exhibits from the case have now been submitted for forensic testing using techniques not available at the time.
Detective Chief Inspector Claire Lamerton, head of the force’s review unit, said:
“South Wales Police has had considerable success with cold cases, being one of the first forces in the country to set up a review team in 1999 to conduct cold case reviews.
We hope that the outcome of the forensic review will give us the opportunity to bring justice for Sandra’s family who we have informed of this new work. Even though four decades have passed, I appeal to anyone who has any information about Sandra’s death to come forward.”
A case that shocked Swansea
The killing has been the subject of repeated investigations, wrongful convictions, and allegations of police misconduct. Neath brothers Wayne and Paul Darvell were convicted in 1986 but freed in 1992 after their convictions were ruled unsafe. South Wales Police later issued a public apology, and both men received compensation.
Since then, the case has been revisited several times — with forensic reviews in 2002, 2005 and 2013, appeals on Crimewatch, and speculation about untraced witnesses and potential suspects. Despite these efforts, Sandra’s killer has never been identified.
(Image: South Wales Police)
Appeal for information
Police are urging anyone with information to come forward quoting reference 2300205091.
- 📞 Call 101 or 01656 869228
- 📧 Email: swpreviewunit@south-wales.police.uk
- 💬 Live Chat: South Wales Police website
- 🔗 Submit info: bit.ly/SWPProvideInfo
Always call 999 in an emergency.
