WILTSHIRE police have said they will not be reopening the case into the death of Karen Chandler, whose remains were found in a burnt-out car on Salisbury Plain near Urchfont in June last year.

A statement from Assistant Chief Constable Stephen Long said that no new or additional lines of inquiry had been identified since Urchfont gardener Bryan Maloney was acquitted of her murder at Bristol Crown Court in November.

He said: "It is clear from the review that we carried out that a meticulous investigation was carried out by the Wiltshire Constabulary.

On the basis of this information I have decided that the inquiry will not be re-opened unless new information or new leads come to light."

Kevin Chandler, the 21-year-old son of the dead woman, said: "We are happy with the way the police investigated my mother's murder. They did a sterling job. We feel the police have done all they can do, there is nothing more than they can do."

But he has not ruled out taking a civil action against Mr Maloney.

Mr Long said: "The family of Karen Chandler have been informed of this decision and are satisfied with the Constabularies review process and findings. We wish to extend our sympathy to all members of the family at this particularly difficult time and have offered support to them, should they so wish.

In an exclusive interview with the Gazette following his acquittal, Mr Maloney, 64, of Haggs Lane, Urchfont, blamed the police for not investigating other avenues of inquiry.

He had pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder and the jury at Bristol Crown Court acquitted him on a majority verdict after eight hours.