DNA test underway in Georgina Edmonds' murder investigation (From Daily Echo)

DNA test underway in Georgina Edmonds' murder investigation

7:00pm Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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THEY are united in the hope that the net is closing in on the killer of a Hampshire grandmother.

Members of the public yesterday began turning out to provide their DNA sample to police investigating the brutal murder of Georgina Edmonds.

Some 120 people living within the Eastleigh community have received letters asking them to provide a mouth swab so they can be ruled out of the mass inquiry.

Many who turned out for the voluntary screening shared the same view – they will do whatever they can to help police find the man responsible.

It’s now more than two years since Mrs Edmonds was killed in the kitchen of her cottage in Brambridge. Her killer had stabbed her repeatedly across the top of her body with a paring knife – thought to be a form of torture to extract her PIN for her cashcard.

He then rained blows on her head with a marble rolling pin.

One of the first through the door at The Progressive Club in Twyford Road, where the DNA screening is taking place, was local resident Stephen Collins.

The 40-year-old was one of a number of people spoken to by police since the murder on January 11, 2008 and came in to the inquiry because he was known to wear a yellow jacket. Detectives spoke to him along with dozens of others because the prime suspect in the murder was wearing a similar coat when he was captured on CCTV hours after Mrs Edmonds was found murdered.

Mr Collins said: “The police came to see me because I wear a yellow jacket when I ride my moped. I received a letter asking me to come and provide my DNA and I’m more than happy to take part. I just hope it helps them find whoever did this – it was a particularly nasty crime.”

David Goodall, 69, from Allbrook, had contacted police some time after Mrs Edmonds was bludgeoned to death, when he discovered a knife lying in a flower basket outside his home.

“I thought it was a bit strange so I called the police and they took it away. Giving my DNA doesn’t worry me at all, I just hope the police find something from it.”

The DNA screening will continue throughout today between 10am and 8pm.

A further session will be held on Saturday but anyone unable to attend is urged to contact the Operation Columbian team at Hulse Road on 101.