More than two decades after Jennifer Kiely was tragically killed, new DNA evidence has identified a suspect in her murder case. Jennifer, 35, was found by firefighters at a seafront shelter in Sussex in the early hours of January 22, 2005. She had suffered multiple stab wounds, an injury to the back of her head, and her body had been set on fire. The attack was believed to have been sexually motivated.
At the time, two people were arrested but no charges were filed. Crucially, DNA recovered from the crime scene, including a cigarette butt, yielded a full male profile that matched evidence found on Jennifer’s body and in her blood. However, this profile did not appear in the national DNA database.
In 2024, Sussex Police announced that Keith Dowbekin—also known by the names Keith Black and Keith Broadbent—has been named as the man responsible. Dowbekin died in 2014 at the age of 60. He was known locally in Eastbourne and had connections with the homeless community, including Ms. Kiely.
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Prior to Jennifer’s murder, Dowbekin had been arrested in Norfolk for two separate rape allegations in 2003 and 2004, though he was never charged. When stopped by authorities at the Port of Dover shortly after the murder, these past arrests were not known to officers.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Dunn explained that at the time DNA was only collected from suspects who were charged, not those arrested. He added that improvements in DNA collection and cross-border intelligence sharing have since strengthened investigations.
A key breakthrough came in 2018, when police were able to use familial DNA searching—analyzing genetic links between relatives—to narrow down suspects and identify Dowbekin after obtaining DNA from his family members. The confirmation came in 2024, and Dowbekin’s DNA was also found in intimate areas of Jennifer’s body, reinforcing the sexual nature of the crime.
Jennifer Kiely’s family paid tribute, emphasizing her vibrant personality beyond her struggles and expressing hope that her story would inspire greater compassion for those facing homelessness and mental health challenges. They said, “Our mum was a gentle, funny, and creative soul who cared deeply for others. While this brings closure, it does not erase the profound loss felt by her family and friends.”