Help us find who killed Georgina

THE stress and strain is etched on all their faces.

Inside the major incident room that is home to one of the county's biggest murder enquiries, 150 police officers are working round the clock to catch Georgina Edmonds's killer.

A week since she was found bludgeoned to death there are no suspects in custody - whoever killed the 77-year-old is still at large.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, the man leading the murder hunt has today urged members of the public to help find whoever is responsible.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barton, said: "Georgina Edmonds could have been anyone's grandmother.

"She was a vulnerable person because of her age and the fact she lived alone, a mother with two grandchildren who had a loving family.

"We are still looking for the killer or killers and I would urge the person or people responsible for her murder to think about that and do the right thing and come forward."

He said there were a number of theories being considered as to who could have battered Mrs Edmonds to death in her own home and the reasons why.

Not being ruled out is the possibility that the widow, who lived alone in a cottage close to her son and his family, could have been the victim of doorstep con men or a burglary that went horrifically wrong.

Four people arrested early on Monday at Elderfield, the nearby home for ex-offenders, have now all been released from police custody.

Three will face no further action but a fourth man, aged 37, remains on police bail.

DCI Barton said: "There are a large number of things being considered and that is why we have increased the investigation. The area itself is vast and there are large numbers of search and forensic officers working on this case.

"We are using virtually all the resources we have in the major crime department in Hampshire and have also drafted in detectives from right across the county.

"We are working long hours and everyone in the squad has clearly been affected by what has happened to Mrs Edmonds. Everyone has the same determined resolve to catch whoever killed her."

Yesterday central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short revealed that the opening of the inquest into the pensioner's death has been delayed while a second post-mortem is carried out, as is usual in murder cases.

Coroner's officer Roger Matcham said the inquest was now likely to be opened some time next week.

Mrs Edmonds's body was discovered by her son Henry, who lives in a house on the same estate in Kiln Lane, Otterbourne, and a family friend.

It is known she was last seen alive at 11am on January 11 by a witness who spoke to police.

Searches have since revealed that keys and a cash card, which someone tried to use several hours after the discovery of Mrs Edmonds' body, were stolen from the cottage.

The murder weapon is also still to be recovered.

Detectives have now appealed to residents living in and around the Brambridge, Otterbourne and Eastleigh areas to search their bins and gardens for discarded items.

Dog walkers, joggers, drivers and ramblers who were in the area on Friday as well as people who may know the victim are also being urged to call police.

The plea for help to catch the killer also turned to local criminals who may have been offered goods in recent days.

DCI Barton said; "There are many petty thieves and people who take drugs and even they will be appalled by this murder.

"If they have any information I would ask them to come forward and talk, if necessary, in the strictest confidence.

"It was such an horrific crime that I feel sure whoever did this would have changed their behaviour or demeanour. They may be family or associates who make you feel a little suspicious or unsure and I would say to those people to pick up the phone and call.

"The answer to who killed this vulnerable woman lies within the community. Somebody knows something."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Hampshire police on 0845 045 45 45 or the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.