A decision on whether anyone is to be prosecuted in relation to the murder of Inga Maria Hauser may now be delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
A conference due to take place this week, to remember the young German backbacker who was murdered while visiting Northern Ireland, has been postponed due to the health crisis.
The event to mark the 32nd anniversary of Inga Maria's death was to bring together family members from Germany along with those who have campaigned for justice for the teenager.
The body of the Munich student was found dumped in a remote part of Ballypatrick Forest, outside Ballycastle, Co Antrim, 14 days after she was last seen alive on a ferry from Scotland.
The family, now represented by Claire McKeegan of Phoenix Law, had heard little from police over the years.
However, on the 30th anniversary of her death a fresh appeal for information put the unsolved killing back in the spotlight.
A 59-year-old man was arrested in May 2018 and again in February last year.
A file is currently with the PPS and in the later stages of consideration.
However, police in correspondence to the family's legal team said further engagement between detectives and the Public Prosecution Service (PPS) was required to conclude the case, adding this "will be slightly more challenging" due to the Covid-19 crisis.
Inga's mother and father have both since died but her sister Friederike Leibl now leads the family campaign for justice and had planned to be in Northern Ireland for this week's anniversary.
SDLP assembly member John Dallat, who has supported the family for many years, and respected professor and justice campaigner Phil Scraton were to take part in the conference to be held at Queen's University.
Also due to speak was Dublin-based singer, songwriter and blogger Keeley Moss, who has dedicated many years to investigating and documenting aspects of Inga's life.
Ms Moss said she become fascinated by the case after reading a short chapter about the killing in an anthology of unsolved murders.
"Inga’s case was one of the more obscure ones in the book, afforded only a short chapter towards the end, but upon learning about what happened to her I felt so profoundly moved by this one case and so fascinated by the person at the heart of it," she said.
"I could not get her and the circumstances of what had happened to her out of my mind in the weeks afterwards.
"It rankles with me that she was forever denied that opportunity, and at such a young age.
"So one of my main ambitions has been to try create and maintain a space for her in the modern world that she sadly never got to see or take part in".
Ms McKeegan said that while they were disappointed at having to cancel the conference, there would be effort to reschedule at the first possible opportunity.
"The family are thinking of Inga as always at this difficult time and are devastated that decision remains outstanding on the suspect's prosecution," she said.
"We have requested video consultation with the PPS in the circumstances.
"The pain of Ingas violent murder hasn’t eased for Friederike. It tore their family apart."
