Tortured woman reward increased

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/7500918.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A reward to capture the killer of a 77-year-old woman who was bludgeoned to death in her home has been raised to £20,000 six months after her death.

Georgina Edmonds' body was discovered at her home in Kiln Lane, Brambridge, Hampshire, on 11 January. She had head injuries and was tortured with a knife.

On Friday, a Bluetooth device will transmit a police appeal message in the area with images relating to the case.

The reward for information in the inquiry has been raised from £5,000.

Mrs Edmonds' daughter, Doddie Edmonds, said: "I am still very shocked by what has happened.

"I could never have imagined such a terrible thing happening to my mother in her own little cottage."

Missing items

Det Ch Insp Paul Barton, of Hampshire police, said: "It is very much an active investigation with over 50 detectives working on the case, but we do need that name of the individual or individuals responsible.

"It is sad we need a motivator of money for people to pick up the phone, but we hope this amount will make people sit up and take notice."

He said the Bluetooth broadcast will be transmitted from a police car patrolling the Eastleigh and Brambridge area between 1800 and 2200 BST.

Someone used Mrs Edmonds' cash card only a few miles from her home

Those receiving the appeal are being urged to accept the message.

Mrs Edmonds' hairdresser, Sue Parrick, cut the victim's hair on the day she died.

She said: "She was warm, lovely, happy full of fun lady.

"I felt numb when I heard. I couldn't believe this had happened as I had seen her that day. I am hopeful that they will find someone."

Detectives are still keen to trace a man seen on CCTV wearing a fluorescent jacket trying to get money out at a Tesco Express in Twyford Road with Mrs Edmonds' cash card on the day she died.

Officers are also trying to locate a number of items taken from Mrs Edmonds' home, including a handbag, a silver credit card holder, her cash card, cheque book and her brightly coloured key fob.

Post-mortem tests revealed Mrs Edmonds died of extensive head injuries and had been tortured.

Four people have so far been arrested and eliminated in the inquiry, no one has been charged over the death.