A police appeal was launched doorstep for “doorsteps sellers, people seen in cars and others on foot” who were in or around a bungalow in Wisbech when 86 year-old Una Crown was murdered.
“These people may have perfectly reasonable explanations for being in the area, such as visiting friends or relatives, but it is important we trace them so they can be eliminated from our inquiries,” said the police chief brought in to take over the murder hunt.
Detective Chief Inspector Sharn Basra said: “We have had a really positive response to the re-launch of the investigation and a lot of people who we hadn’t spoken to previously have come forward with information.
“We are still working through those lines of inquiry, but we particularly want to speak to those ‘non-residents’ who were seen in Magazine Lane on Saturday, January 12, 2013.
“They also may have important information which could take the investigation forward.”
A number of new witnesses have come forward since the investigation was re-launched by the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit last week.
It is now 16 months since Mrs Crown was found dead in her home in Magazine Lane.
She had last been seen alive on Friday, January 11, last year, but had spoken to a friend by telephone at about 5pm on the Saturday. Her body was discovered by a family member the following morning.
She had been repeatedly stabbed and then set on fire in an apparent attempt to disguise her injuries and destroy evidence.
Officers have been in Wisbech for a week carrying out house-to-house inquiries, revisiting witnesses, putting up posters and handing out leaflets appealing for information.
A mobile police station has also been set up in Magazine Lane.
A £10,000 Crimestoppers reward is on offer for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder.
Anyone with any information should call police on 01707 355666 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111
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