THE niece of murdered Wisbech widow Una Crown has said her distraught family cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt her.

Judy Payne said she “desperately wants justice for Aunty Una” and appealed for people to come forward with information which could help police catch her killer.

The 86-year-old was found dead in her bungalow in Magazine Lane on Sunday, January 13. She had been stabbed in the chest and neck before being set on fire - an apparent attempt to disguise her injuries.

Mrs Payne, 69, who was close to her aunt, said: “We are all shocked and deeply saddened by Aunty Una’s death and cannot understand why anyone would want to hurt her.

“We desperately want justice for Aunty Una, whoever committed this terrible crime needs to be caught.

“If you have any information about who is responsible, or have suspicions about someone you know, please do the right thing and call the police.”

Mrs Payne described how Mrs Crown used to run Elm Post Office with her late husband Jack, who was known as Ron.

She said: “Aunty Una started work as a telephonist at Wisbech Post Office and met her future husband Jack Roland Crown who was working at various post offices in the area after his service in the RAF.

“They married in April 1948 and moved to Bridge House, Elm, to run the village post office. Aunty Una would cycle round the nearby villages to deliver telegrams.

“After retiring from the post office she had a number of office jobs including one at Dawbarn’s Solicitors.

“She was a very healthy but private lady who enjoyed being in the company of her relatives and friends.

“She particularly enjoyed mid-week trips to Norfolk where she loved visiting a friend’s tea room. She also liked going out to visit friends and family for Sunday roasts.”

Mrs Crown was last seen alive on Friday, January 11, but she had spoken to a friend by telephone at 5pm on the Saturday.

A £10,000 reward is being offered by independent charity Crimestoppers for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the killer.

Anyone with any information should call the Major Crime Unit on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.