Police track down 300 ex-cons in hunt for Georgina’s killer

9:30am Wednesday 11th June 2008

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HUNDREDS of convicted criminals are being tracked down and quizzed by detectives hunting the killer of a grandmother.

Five months to the day since Georgina Edmonds was bludgeoned to death at her home in Brambridge, near Otterbourne, officers have revealed that 300 ex-cons have been identified living close to the murder scene.

Their crimes are understood to include theft, burglary and violence and they are being asked to provide an alibi for the day of the killing.

Police have targeted people with previous convictions living within a five-mile radius of the cashpoint machine where someone tried to use Mrs Edmonds' bank card.

The unknown person - the prime suspect in the murder on January 11 - visited the cash machine in Twyford Road, Eastleigh, within hours of the 77-year-old being beaten around the head and stabbed repeatedly with a kitchen knife.

250 officers Mrs Edmonds' body was discovered by her son Harry and a family friend.

Her murder sparked one of Hampshire's biggest investigations with more than 250 officers involved at its height.

Police today revealed the inquiry, called Operation Columbian, has spanned across the UK with forces contacted in Wales, Northamptonshire, Coventry, Manchester, Telford, Sunderland and London.

So far 2,500 house-to-house enquiries have been made, 1,300 statements taken, 2,000 vehicles checked and more than 660 calls taken from the public.

Despite making no arrests since the first week of the investigation, police chiefs from the major crime department are positive they will catch the killer.

Detective Superintendent David Williams, the officer in charge of the investigation, said: "I have absolute faith that we will solve this crime.

"Statistically, it's highly likely that the offender, or details associated with them, is already captured within the investigation database.

"Through extensive review and elimination of suspects and the incredibly detailed ongoing forensic examination of hundreds of exhibits, we're confident that we will resolve this case and bring the offender to justice.

"A total of 300 people with potentially relevant profiles have been identified as living close to the murder scene and the location of the attempted use of the victim's cashpoint card in Twyford Road, Eastleigh.

"All are being subject to detailed and ongoing interview by the inquiry team."

He added: "While it's still firmly believed that the offender was either local or had local connections, investigations now span the country."

Anyone with any information about the murder should contact the Operation Columbian investigation team at Hulse Road on 0845 045 45 45 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.