MYSTERY still surrounds the death of a York teenager 19 years after her body was discovered lying in a road.

Lizzie Gilmour, of Acomb, was found on the A1237 near the Askham Lane junction, on Saturday, January 15, 2000. She had been hit by a car.

Last year, North Yorkshire Police's cold case team reopened the investigation - and those inquiries are ongoing.

Rose Ozturkce, Lizzie’s mother, said she felt the details around what happened that night were closer than ever to being revealed, but still just out of reach.

She said: “It doesn’t get any easier, it gets worse every day, but we learn to live with it.

“What makes it harder for us as a family is not having closure on Lizzie’s case and the truth not coming out and not getting justice. It’s still raw in our minds, the day we lost her.”

Lizzie was hit by an Audi car as she lay in the road at 8.20pm. Police said the car driver was not at fault, and coroner Donald Coverdale said he did not believe the Lowfield School pupil intended to take her own life or lay in the road intentionally.

Rose said she was 99 per cent sure Lizzie was already dead or so severely injured that she was dying when she was hit by the car, and there were people “who know the truth but are too frightened to talk”.

Rose said she, Lizzie's father David, her brothers Peter, Paul and Carl and sister Victoria, needed closure.

She said: “People need to look into their hearts and come forward with any information. We need to get justice for Lizzie. We as a family will never give up the search for justice for her.

“It’s hard to live without our beautiful, talented, intelligent kind-hearted and fun Lizzie. She had all her life in front of her. Lizzie would never hurt anyone.

“We’re aware of people who may know some information on this case but unfortunately will not come forward. As long as it takes to get justice for Lizzie, we will go on. Someone knows someone or something who could hopefully get us justice for our beautiful Lizzie. She didn’t deserve to die so young.”

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the review into the circumstances which led to Lizzie’s tragic death was ongoing.

He said: “As a result of the review, police have interviewed numerous people in an effort to establish why Lizzie came to be on the A1237 at that time. These inquiries are continuing."

Rose added she was “over the moon” that the cold case team had taken up Lizzie’s case, and had been assured “they will not leave any stone unturned”.

Today, Rose and her family will visit Lizzie’s grave and say a prayer for her.

Rose said: “We will still continue to fight for justice.

“I don’t think this is the end of it. It’s been such a hard battle and we haven’t won it yet, but we’re trying.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option one, and speak to the Force Control Room.

Details can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111. Please quote reference number 12160031674.