Three men sought in widow inquiry

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Detectives investigating the death of a widow aged 90 found dead in her Swansea home last month are appealing for help in tracing three potential witnesses.

Grandmother Avril Evans died from a heart attack after the attack in the city's Hafod area but a burglary took place at around the same time.

Police are trying to establish whether she was confronted by the burglars who ransacked her home.

Three men seen near her house that day are being sought.

A £10,000 reward has already been offered in the search for the burglars.

Police investigating the crime on the afternoon of 14 December have already taken 150 statements from witnesses.

Lucozade bottle

Mrs Evans' 60-year-old son discovered her body downstairs in her terraced home where she lived alone at around 2100 GMT.

Now detectives want to interview a man seen entering Lee's newsagent on Neath Road, Hafod at around 1545 GMT, at around the same time Mrs Evans went to the shop.

He bought a bottle of Lucozade and left the shop, heading in the direction of the city centre.

Meanwhile, a man in his 20s was also seen in Grandison Street at around 1800 GMT.

He is described as about 5ft 8in to 5ft 10 in tall, of stocky build. He was wearing black clothes - headwear, jacket, trousers and trainers.

Burglars entered the house via a ladder

Police also want to speak to a third man who was also seen in Grandison Street, between 1000-1100 GMT.

He is said to be white in his 20s, between 5ft 5in and 5ft 8in tall and of medium/athletic build. He has short brown hair and a clean complexion.

He is believed to have visited the area on previous occasions, police said.

'Loving and caring'

Det Supt Ken Isaac, who is heading the investigation, said: "We are treating this as a major crime investigation and I would ask for the support of the public and the media in making the following appeals.

"We need to speak to everyone that might have seen her or know anything about her death.

"These three men who were in the area around the relevant time may have information that could be invaluable to the investigation.

"Please come forward and speak to us, let us decide if your information is significant," added Det Supt Isaac.

A major incident room is set up in Cockett police station in Swansea, with more than 30 officers working on the case.

A few days after her death Mrs Evans' family made a public plea for information on how she died.

Her granddaughter Naomi described her "one of the most loving and caring persons in the world".