yesterday pleaded for her killer to turn himself in.

Heartbroken mother Cynthia Middleton said: "This is a bad thing which has happened.

"Just think if was your child, or your husband or wife. If you have some information, give it. We want this thing to be solved.'' The appeal came as Police said they were looking for three black youths in connection with the murder.

Mrs. Middleton and estranged husband David made the sad journey from their homes in Belleville, Ontario to Bermuda yesterday.

Daughter Becky was brutally knifed to death on a quiet country road near St.

George's after enjoying a night out with schoolfriend Jasmine Meens.

The two girls were two weeks into a six-week stay at the Smith's Parish home of Jasmine's father, Canadian Rick Meens.

Ms Middleton's naked and bloodstained body was found in the early hours of Wednesday morning on Ferry Road by a passing motorist.

The family's appeal, at a press conference at Police Headquarters yesterday, came as detectives revealed they were looking for three men in connection with the incident.

Det. Supt. Vic Richmond added Police were anxious to speak to anyone who was in the area of Mullet Bay Road between 2.30 a.m. and 3.30 a.m. and who may have seen two blonde teenage girls standing or sitting on a wall on the northern side of the road speaking to three black youths on two motorcycles.

A team of 12 detectives are working around the clock on the case from a special incident room at St. George's Police station and valuable information had already been received from the public.

Police banned reporters at the press conference from asking questions about the girls' whereabouts before Becky died.

But it is understood the girls had spent the evening at the St. George's home of a Police officer, whose son is believed to be a friend of Ms Meens.

They are thought to have been looking for a cab when they were approached by a man on a motorcycle who offered them a ride home.

The girls declined but when two other men on a motorcycle arrived minutes later, Ms Meens got on the back of one bike while Ms Middleton got on the other between the driver and his passenger.

Ms Meens got home safely -- Ms Middleton was never seen alive again.

Mr. Meens said yesterday: "This child came down to the Island to enjoy herself and see the sights -- it's an absolute travesty. She was a sweet, loveable, shy little girl.'' He added: "I just wish that whoever out there did this will do the right thing and turn themselves in.

"And people out there who know should help the investigation -- it's the right thing to do.'' Mr. Middleton said he and his wife had viewed Bermuda as a safe destination and had allowed their daughter to go on holiday with her friend.

But Mrs. Middleton said her daughter's death had not soured her view of Bermuda.

She said: "It has shaken my faith in some human beings. It doesn't matter if it is Bermuda or somewhere else -- there are people like that all over.'' Mrs. Middleton added that she had spoken to her daughter only days before she died.

She said her daughter had been enjoying the trip and has visited the circus and the Aquarium.

Mrs. Middleton added: "She was having a really good time. The weather was good and everything was just wonderful.'' Ms Middleton's murder is the second in Bermuda this year -- the average murder rate over the last eight years is three a year.

She is the first tourist to be murdered since 27-year-old German teacher Antje Herkommer was strangled at Dockyard in 1992.

Murder probe Killer Leroy Burgess -- who was on a work release programme from Casemates Prison -- was later jailed for life after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Mr. Middleton said the town of Belleville, Ontario was shocked to hear of Rebecca's murder which followed closely on the heels of the death of 18-year-old Mark Tyke. He was killed in a bungled robbery in Florida last March.

Ms Meens and Ms Middleton attended Centennial High School in Belleville. They had just graduated from the 11th grade.

Ms Middleton worked at a gas station in Belleville for about two years but quit just under a year ago.

Gas station manager Bob Davis, who also taught the dead girl sailing at the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club, said she was a nice and friendly girl who was liked by customers and co-workers.

Anyone with information which could help the probe should call the incident room on 297-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-623-8477.