carbuff
Well-Known Member
I could understand withholding the name until the next of kin are notified, but in that case, you don't announce that you have identified her to the press.
It would seem that if they want to solve the murder, releasing the name might bring forward some useful information or clues.
Another scenario I've seen is that finding the person's identity pretty much reveals the murderer, often a spouse or parent. The name is withheld so as to avoid tipping off the murderer, who might try to destroy evidence or more likely flee (or kill themselves) before they can be arrested. It takes time to build a case suitable for prosecution.