On a frigid Christmas Eve in 1994, the quiet village cemetery was shattered by the agonizing screams of Tracey Mertens, a mother of two, whose badly burned body lay on the steps of Christ Church in Eaton, Cheshire. Despite suffering 95% burns after being set alight, Tracey bravely provided police with vital information about her attackers before she died.
Tracey described her assailants as two men in their thirties, “big and fat,” speaking with strong Jamaican accents and wearing leather caps and jackets. Despite her courage, the perpetrators have never been caught, even after nearly three decades, a £30,000 reward, and a Crimewatch reconstruction.
The horrific attack began when Tracey, a former dinner lady, was abducted from her former home in Birmingham’s Nechells district, where she had gone to collect benefit books. She had moved to Rochdale just five weeks prior but made a spontaneous decision to extend her visit and stayed overnight with family. Around noon the following day, she answered the door and was kidnapped, forced into a yellow Mark II Ford Escort, and driven 60 miles to Eaton.
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Her attackers demanded to know the whereabouts of Joey—her long-term partner, reportedly involved in drug use and debt. While police believe the motive may be connected to drugs, the exact reason remains unclear. Tracey refused to disclose Joey’s location, possibly protecting her children, Kelly and Daniel, still in her care.
The investigation has been exhaustive: over 2,000 interviews and 1,800 statements have been collected, yet the killers remain free. In 1995, a man was charged but later released due to insufficient evidence. Advances in forensic science led to new DNA profiling in 2007 and a renewed appeal on Crimewatch, generating fresh leads and 100 pieces of new information. Tragically, fear and silence continue to shroud the case, preventing justice.
Tracey’s family has endured immense anguish. Her sister Sharon recalls how Tracey appeared haunted before the attack, taking measures to avoid being found. The inquest returned an open verdict, which devastated her family. “There’s no way the evidence warranted an open verdict,” said her brother Mark.
Each year, the family faces Christmas without Tracey, a time now forever marked by loss. Daughter Kelly, only 11 at the time of her mother’s death, expressed, “She deserves peace, and I don’t think she ever will until her killers are caught.”
Police continue to urge anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem. Detective Inspector Kate Tomlinson emphasized, “Even after all these years, critical pieces of the puzzle may lie with someone who witnessed something and remained silent.”
Tracey’s tragedy shines a light on the devastating consequences of violence and the lasting impact on families waiting for justice. The hope remains that one day, courage and truth will prevail, finally bringing closure to a case that still haunts many.