Murder of 25-year-old Sheffield sex worker still unsolved after 19 years

The murder of a Sheffield sex worker remains unsolved nearly 19 years on since the killing.
By Claire Lewis
Published 29th Sep 2020, 10:54 BST
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Michaela Hague, aged 25, was found with multiple knife wounds on an isolated car park in Sheffield on Bonfire Night 2001.

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The mum-of-one had been working as a street prostitute and was picked up by a punter on Bower Street, just of Corporation Street, a short time before she was found seriously injured.

Michaela Hague was stabbed to death in Sheffield 19 years agoMichaela Hague was stabbed to death in Sheffield 19 years ago
Michaela Hague was stabbed to death in Sheffield 19 years ago

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The alarm was raised and emergency services raced to the scene.

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PC Richard Twigg was among those who responded to the 999 call for help and was able to speak to Michaela at the crime scene.

An E-fit was produced of a man thought to have vital information about the murder of Michaela HagueAn E-fit was produced of a man thought to have vital information about the murder of Michaela Hague
An E-fit was produced of a man thought to have vital information about the murder of Michaela Hague

He jotted down notes on his hand based on what Michaela managed to tell him about her attacker, including the fact that he was clean-shaven and wore a wedding ring.

Michaela, who had a five-year-old son, was transferred to hospital by ambulance but later died.

She worked as a prostitute to fund a heroin habit.

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A post mortem examination revealed that Michaela, from Pitsmoor, was stabbed 19 times in her back and neck.

PC Richard Twigg jotted down notes on his hand after Michaela Hague provided him with a description of her attackerPC Richard Twigg jotted down notes on his hand after Michaela Hague provided him with a description of her attacker
PC Richard Twigg jotted down notes on his hand after Michaela Hague provided him with a description of her attacker

An old-style blue Ford Sierra was seen driving away from where her body was found on a car park off Spitalfields, opposite a pub then known as The Manchester, which is now The Harlequin.

It prompted a nationwide search for the vehicle as detectives vowed to track down the killer.

He was said to have been around 38 years old, 6ft tall and was wearing a blue fleece and glasses.

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A police E-fit was produced in the hope that he would be recognised.

Other street prostitutes were spoken to about the death and police patrols were stepped up.

During the inquest into Michaela's death, Sheffield Coroner Chris Dorries said he hoped advances in technology would eventually help police snare the killer.

Her murder is one of a number of unsolved cases on South Yorkshire Police’s books.

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The force’s major incident review team regularly reviews historic cases to look for new investigative and forensic opportunities in the hope of solving murders.

Anyone with information about the case should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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