A GROUP of women who asked directions to murder victim Dawn Walker's home could hold vital information about how she was brutally killed, detectives have revealed.

A GROUP of women who asked directions to murder victim Dawn Walker's home could hold vital information about how she was brutally killed, detectives have revealed.

Suffolk police said three women had been seen in the area of Miss Walker's home in Oak Close, Fornham St Martin, near Bury St Edmunds, at about the time she had last been seen alive.

Now detectives hope to trace the group as the hunt for the 37-year-old fitness fanatic's killer enters its third week and concern in the close-knit community continues to grow.

Detective Superintendent Roy Lambert, who is heading the investigation, said: "There is nothing to suggest that these woman had anything to do with the disappearance of Dawn, but we would like to find them and see if they have any information relating to the investigation.

"If you were one of these women or you witnessed them in the area of Oak Close we would like to hear from you."

The women – who were all white and aged in their 20s and 30s – were seen near Miss Walker's home at about 6.30pm on February 2 or February 3 asking where her house was.

Miss Walker's charred and semi-naked remains were found by a dog walker by the River Lark near Fornham Park at about 5:10pm on February 4.

She was last seen at about 9.30pm on February 2 at her home and failed to report for work at a printing firm in Bury St Edmunds the following day.

Police – who are yet to establish how or where Miss Walker died – are still keen to trace anyone who walked along the River Lark between February 2 and 4.

Det Supt Lambert, who is leading a team of more than 30 officers working on the inquiry, added: "Although people have come forward to say that they were in the area between these dates, we are confident that more people would have been at the location where the body was found between Wednesday and Thursday.

"Please think back and consider if you walked along the river. Perhaps you were exercising or walking a dog. Please contact us even if you believe you have nothing to offer the investigation."

Anyone with information should contact Bury St Edmunds police on 01473 613999, by text on 07624 800174 or by e-mail to incident.room@suffolk.pnn.police.uk.