Police launch contemporary attraction to seek out killer of pub landlady who vanished with no hint in 1997 as they reveal human bone present in backyard near the place she disappeared would not belong to her

Police have launched a fresh appeal to try and find the killer of a pub landlady who disappeared over 27 years ago. 

Deborah Steel, known as Debbie, has not been seen since she finished her shift at the Royal Standard in Ely, Cambridgeshire, on December 27, 1997. 

After she vanished police carried out an extensive investigation which included the excavation of multiple properties and the arrest of three people. 

Despite this, Ms Steel’s body has never been found and no one has ever been charged.

However the cold case has been brought back into focus after a human leg was discover in a nearby garden – although Cambridgeshire Police have already said it does not belong to Ms Steel. 

The 37-year-old was not initially recorded as missing as her partner, Brian McDermott, thought she had travelled without notice to see friends in London, which she had done before.

She had just secured the finance on a new catering business and had no reason to disappear.

Detectives believe she was murdered in Longfields, Ely, where she had taken a taxi for the mile-long journey home in the early hours of December 28.

Deborah Steel (pictured), known as Debbie, has not been seen since December 27, 1997

The 37-year-old vanished after she finished her shift at The Royal Standard pub in Ely, Cambridgeshire 

Nine years ago, police dug up the pub’s patio in the hope they might find something but were again thwarted.

Her father Bill’s last words on his deathbed in 2010 were ‘Find out what happened to my girl.’

Ms Steel’s sister Gini Secker, 61, said she was certain her sister had been murdered.

She told the BBC in 2017: ‘I’ve always been a massive lover of Christmas, but it fills me with sadness now.

‘I still buy her presents every year – they’re all in the bottom of my wardrobe – but I know when I buy them that she’s never going to have them.

‘It’s a 20-year burden.’

Appealing for information, Detective Sergeant Kelly Adams, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said: ‘Like all cold cases, the case of Debbie Steel has never been closed and never will be until we bring those responsible to justice.

‘Officers conduct regular reviews of all cold cases in the hope of finding new leads.

After she vanished police carried out an extensive investigation which included the excavation of multiple properties and the arrest of three people. Despite this, Ms Steel’s body has never been found and no one has ever been charged

‘Your information, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it, could help build a bigger picture and secure justice for Debbie.’

Police want to speak to anyone who may have any information and may not have felt able to come forward at the time.

They would also like to hear from anyone who may have been in the Fore Hill area of the city or the pub itself on December 27, 1997.

Det Sgt Adams added: ‘A recent investigation following the discovery of a bone in a garden in Ely has, understandably, stirred up emotions for Debbie’s family.

‘The bone is not a match for Debbie, it belongs to a man and does not match anyone on our wider missing persons database.

‘Further tests are underway to determine the exact age of the bone and these will take some time.

‘However, with this discovery bringing Debbie’s case to the fore and the 27th anniversary approaching, we felt it an appropriate time to appeal once again for information.

Detectives believe Ms Steel was murdered in Longfields, Ely, where she had taken a taxi for the mile-long journey home in the early hours of December 28

‘Debbie’s family are desperate for answers as they continue to grieve for her and have no idea where she is, they want to be able to lay her to rest properly and with dignity.

‘We appreciate this event happened nearly 27 years ago, but we believe there are people out there who knew Debbie and may be able to shed some light on what happened to her.

‘These people may not have felt comfortable speaking to police at the time, but might feel differently now.

‘Justice has been a long time coming for Debbie and her family and I would urge anyone with information to please come forward and share it with us.’