A 30-year-old case in which a young mother and her two daughters died in a house fire in Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, is attracting renewed attention. South Wales Police have confirmed a forensic review will be carried out to explore new opportunities to solve the case which has troubled the local community for decades.
What happened
In October 1995, 21-year-old Dianne Jones and her two daughters – two-year-old Shauna Hibberd and 13-month-old Sarah-Jane Hibberd – tragically died in a devastating fire at their home on the Garnos estate in Merthyr Tydfil. The fire was discovered to have been deliberately started when an accelerant was poured into the house’s letterbox, and the family was found in an upstairs bedroom. Despite an extensive investigation, no one was brought to justice for his death, leaving his family searching for answers for decades.
Now, 30 years on, South Wales Police’s Major Crime Review Unit has launched a forensic review, hoping that advances in technology can provide the needed breakthrough. Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Davies hoped that new forensic techniques unavailable at the time could help advance the case.
The legacy of Diane Jones and her daughters
Diane’s sister, Mary, shared the grief that their family has endured since that fateful day in 1995. He recalled how the tragedy had devastated his life and talked about the devastating impact it had on his parents. “We not only lost a sister and nieces, we lost our parents,” Mary said. “It absolutely broke his heart, and he was never the same.” Mary’s father, John, tragically took his own life in 2003, unable to cope with the loss of his daughter and granddaughters.
Mary’s mother, Myra, also struggled to cope with the loss and died in 2012 without seeing justice for her daughter and granddaughters. Mary emphasized her family’s ongoing search for answers, saying, “My mother used to say: ‘I hope I get to see justice before I’m gone,’ but she never got to see justice.”
Public and social media reactions
Mary’s emotional appeal for justice was shared publicly, resonating deeply with those who have followed the case over the years. She made an emotional plea to anyone with information and urged them to come forward, no matter how much time has passed. “My message to them is to please do the right thing – come forward so that my sister can finally rest with her children,” he said. “As a family, we will never stop fighting for justice.”
Community members, friends and concerned citizens have rallied behind the family’s petition, sharing the story on social media and using the hashtag #JusticeForDianeAndHerDaughters to amplify their message.
Official statement and what will happen next
South Wales Police have confirmed that the investigation is actively ongoing, with a renewed focus on the use of new forensic technologies. DCI Gareth Davies called on anyone with information to come forward, and stressed that even after so many years, it is never too late for anyone to come forward with the vital information needed to solve the case.
DCI Davis said, “I am confident that someone has information which, for whatever reason, they decided to keep to themselves at that time.” “Three decades have passed – the man may have had different allegiances or he may have found himself in different circumstances today. Now is the time to unload what has undoubtedly weighed heavily over many years.”
The case number is 2200348104, and anyone with any information is urged to contact South Wales Police by calling 101 or emailing the Major Crime Review Unit at swpreviewunit@south-wales.police.uk.
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This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
