Murdered Epsom woman formally identified

9:26am Sunday 18th May 2008

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The body of an 81-year-old woman found murdered in Epsom has been formally identified as Joyce Cregeen.

Mrs Cregeen's body was discovered at her Sefton Road home at 12 noon on Thursday by a visitor.

"Any friends of Joyce who we haven't yet spoken to should also get in touch, as they may be able to help us build a better picture of her lifestyle."

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Sidaway

A postmortem examination conducted on Friday at Royal Surrey County Hospital showed Mrs Cregeen had been stabbed several times in the stomach.

The mum-of-one had lived alone in her house following her husband Arthur's death in 1997.

Before retiring Mrs Cregeen had worked as an administrative civilian for the City of London Police.

Forensic examiners are still combing her home for clues and officers are searching the surrounding area.

The murder weapon has still not been discovered.

Officers from the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team are still in the area helping with the investigation and talking to residents.

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Sidaway appealed for Mrs Cregeen's friends to contact police so they could find out more about her life.

D Chief Insp Sidaway said: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area and saw anything suspicious on Wednesday night or Thursday morning to call us.

"Any friends of Joyce who we haven't yet spoken to should also get in touch, as they may be able to help us build a better picture of her lifestyle.

"Finally, the answers we are looking for may lie in the local community. Whoever is responsible for this vicious killing of an elderly woman deserves absolutely no protection. If you know something that could help us - however insignificant you may think it is - please contact us or report your suspicions to Crimestoppers."

Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.