Police dig up field in fresh search for the body of young woman murdered more than three decades ago

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 13:41 EDT, 15 September 2026 | Updated: 14:25 EDT, 15 September 2026 Police have dug up a field in a fresh search for the body of a 26-year-old woman who was murdered more than three decades ago. Teresa Shephard vanished from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in June 1995. Her body has never been discovered, though the following year her ex-boyfriend Peter Turner, now aged 54, was jailed for the woman's murder. Now, 31 years later, South Yorkshire Police have begun excavating a field off Piper Lane in Rotherham in a renewed bid to locate Teresa's remains. A large police cordon was seen at the site this week and officers are expected to remain there for several days. The field is situated between Teresa's former home in Basegreen, Sheffield, and Worksop, Nottinghamshire, where Turner lived when the murder was carried out.It was heard at the man's trial at Sheffield Crown Court in 1996 that Teresa had gone missing after leaving her home to meet a man in the city. Turner was made a suspect by police after spots of her blood were discovered inside his car. Teresa Shephard (pictured) vanished from Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in June 1995 Her boyfriend at the time Peter Turner (pictured) was found guilty of murder and jailed for life He denied murder, claiming he had not seen Teresa on the night she vanished, but was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Teresa's family have been made aware of the search for her remains, South Yorkshire Police said. The force added: 'Officers are currently excavating a site off of Piper Lane, in Aston, Rotherham, as part of our efforts to locate the remains of Teresa Shephard, who was murdered in 1995.'There is likely to be an ongoing police presence at this location for the next few days. Teresa was 26 years old when she disappeared in June 1995.'An investigation was launched which resulted in detectives arresting and charging Peter Turner with Teresa's murder.'In 1996, Turner, formerly of Doncaster Road, Worksop, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.'Despite this conviction, Teresa's body was never recovered. Teresa's family are aware of this update, and we will continue to keep them up to date with our enquiries. They continue to ask for their privacy to be respected.'