1:16pm Saturday 17th May 2008
By Chloe Lambert
A murder investigation has been launched after the body of an elderly lady was found in Sefton Road, Epsom.
The woman is thought to be 81-year-old Joyce Cregeen.
A postmortem examination conducted on Friday at Royal Surrey County Hospital showed she had been stabbed several times in the stomach.
The body was found by a member of the public who visited the house at 12 noon on Thursday.
Although formal identification is yet to take place, police are confident the dead woman is Mrs Cregeen.
Surrey Police said it was keeping an open mind into the motive of the murder.
They said there were no signs of forced entry at the house.
Officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team, which is managing the case, have been conducting a detailed forensic search of the house.
CCTV is being viewed and extensive house-to-house enquiries are taking place.
Police are still searching for the murder weapon.
Extra officers from the Epsom and Ewell Safer Neighbourhood Team will be in the area throughout the weekend to assist the investigation and speak to residents.
The Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jo Sidaway, said: "We will leave no stone unturned to discover who is responsible for this vicious murder.
"The killer of a defenceless, elderly woman deserves no kudos or protection from anyone who knows what has happened.
"I urge anyone who knows anything about her death to contact us.
"Equally, if you were in the Sefton Road area between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning and saw anything suspicious, please get in touch.
"I also want to thank local residents for their assistance and patience, particularly considering the road closures that have been in place for some time."
Anyone with information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.
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