The fatal acts of violence that led to their deaths changed the lives of their friends and families forever.
We are once again sharing the details of these cases in a bid to ensure each murder victim is never forgotten; and to also keep the circumstances of their deaths fresh in case someone out there could help to finally bring their killers to justice, drawing an awful chapter in the lives of grieving loved ones to a close.
Among them is 21-year-old Kavan Brissett, who was stabbed to death in a targeted attack when violence flared off Langsett Walk, Upperthorpe, in August 2022.
Other cases included are that of Sheffield mum, Michaela Hague, aged 25, who was knifed in her back and neck in a frenzied attack on Bonfire Night 2001 and James Kamara who was shot dead in a drive-by shooting in Brunswick Street, Broomhall, Sheffield in 2009.
If you think you have any information which may help South Yorkshire Police please call the force on 101.
9. Michaela Hague: Murder of Sheffield mum stabbed 19 times in horror attack continues to baffle detectives
Michaela Hague, aged 25, was knifed in her back and neck in a frenzied attack on Bonfire Night 2001. While families across the city were enjoying firework displays, Michaela, a mum-of-one, was being stabbed on a car park by a man who had picked her up while she was working as a prostitute. After 21 years, the murder remains unsolved, with Michaela’s killer still potentially walking the streets. She was picked up by a man in a car on Bower Street, off Corporation Street, and was driven to a dark, secluded car park nearby – opposite a pub known then as The Manchester, but which is now The Harlequin. An old-style blue Ford Sierra was seen driving away from where Michaela’s body was discovered by another sex worker, who raised the alarm. PC Richard Twigg was the first police officer to arrive at the crime scene and Michaela managed to pass on some information about her attacker, including a description, which the police officer jotted down on his hand as he tended to her before she was rushed to the Northern General Hospital, where she died three hours later. Michaela, of Lopham Street, Pitsmoor, told the police officer that her attacker was white, clean-shaven and wore a wedding ring. He was around 38 years old, 6ft tall and was wearing a blue fleece and glasses. A police E-fit was later produced in the hope that he would be recognised but detectives have never identified the killer. Appeals for information about the murderer were made on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme at the time in case he was from elsewhere in the country and may have only been travelling through the city on the night of the fatal stabbing. The investigation into Michaela’s murder is one of the largest in South Yorkshire Police’s history, with thousands of people interviewed over the years. Officers travelled the length and breadth of the country in their efforts to track down all the owners of blue Ford Sierras in circulation at that time in the hope of tracing the killer. Photo: SYP
10. Brian Metcalfe: Killer responsible for kicking or stamping man to death still at large almost 21 years later
Brian Metcalfe, aged 44, was found dead under a railway bridge, on Station Road, Wath, by a dog walker shortly after 5pm on Sunday, October 14, 2001. He had suffered chest injuries, which police believe were the result of kicking or stamping. Despite enquiries over the years and arrests, nobody has ever been charged over the death A £7,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer was made available on the 10th anniversary of the death, but it failed to yield results. Detectives believe that Mr Metcalfe, who has been drinking in pubs in Wath when he was last seen alive, was beaten to death two days before his body was found. On the 10th anniversary of the murder, Mr Metcalfe's sister, Sue, said: "Not a day passes without us thinking of Brian. His death haunts us. "Please help us find closure and help him rest in peace." Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Photo: SYP
11. Lindsey Scholes: Teen died in arson attack on Barnsley property
Lindsey Scholes was 17 when she died in a house fire in Millgate Street, Royston, Barnsley, in September 2001. She had been staying with two friends at the house when an early morning blaze broke out as they slept. The fire started at the front door to the property after white spirit was set alight, causing flames and choking smoke to engulf the ground floor –trapping the trio inside. Two friends jumped to safety from an upstairs window but Lindsey, who was scared of heights, was too frightened to jump and waited for help to arrive. She was unconscious when she was rescued by firefighters and died two days later. On the night of the arson attack, police officers were called to a disturbance on the same street after a fight broke out at the house, with detectives believing that both incidents were linked. A £10,000 reward from Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer was offered, but nobody has ever been charged. Anyone with information should call South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Photo: SYP
12. Dawn Shields: Sheffield mum's body found on the slopes of Mam Tor
Dawn Shields was 19 when she was killed after getting picked up in a car in Broomhall – Sheffield’s red light district at the time – on Friday, May 13, 1994. Her body was found in a shallow grave a week later on the slopes of Mam Tor, Castleton, in the Peak District. Dawn Shields, a mum-of-one, from Pitsmoor, was found naked and buried in a shallow grave under some rocks by a National Park ranger. She had head injuries and had been strangled. Her death is one of two unsolved prostitute murders in Sheffield, the other being that of Michaela Hague, also included in this list. In 2020, The Star and South Yorkshire Police both received hand-written letters from someone claiming to know who killed Dawn. The letter stated: “Every life matters and murderers should not be allowed to live their lives freely.” Anyone with information about Dawn’s murder should call 0114 2961399, South Yorkshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Photo: SYP