Murder link hopes in Capel

By Lisa Baxter

DETECTIVES hunting the killer of Joan Albert could have a link to the murderer.

Officers investigating the Capel St Mary pensioner's murder have found "possible evidence" outside her home which could help reveal the murderer's identity, police confirmed today.

"We did some searches around the premises and we did find some possible evidence that we have taken," a police spokesman said.

The evidence was discovered in the grounds of the Boydlands property where the 79-year-old had lived alone as well as beyond its boundaries, he added.

The spokesman refused to comment on the nature of what had been found but said that "further analysis" was being carried out on the evidence concerned.

House to house police inquiries were meanwhile continuing in the village where the widow was found stabbed to death in her nightclothes in her hallway on the morning of Sunday, December 16.

She had been stabbed repeatedly.

A mobile police unit, which had been parked near the village's main shopping parade since shortly after Mrs Albert's death has been moved for "operational reasons", the spokesman said, adding that police presence was still "very much" in Capel.

Police have revealed that some villagers heard suspicious noises on the night before Mrs Albert's body was found and have appealed for those living in Capel to ask themselves whether they heard any strange activity outside their homes on the evening of Saturday, December 15, to the following morning.

Members of the public have made over 400 calls to the murder inquiry room from where around 25 officers are working on the case.

Anyone with information should contact the incident room on 01473 613777 pr call Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111.

The Evening Star and Capel businesses have offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mrs Albert's killer.