Detectives investigating murder of Georgina Edmonds launch appeal video on victim’s 79th birthday

Detectives from Hampshire Constabulary's Major Crime Department are launching an appeal video to gather more information about the murder of Georgina Edmonds.

Nearly 18 months into the investigation and on what would have been Mrs Edmonds' 79th birthday (July 2, 2009); police are continuing to appeal for information by launching the appeal video. The five minute video will be placed on the Southern Daily Echo website, YouTube (where the video can be viewed via the link on the Operation Columbian casebook page at www.hampshire.pnn.police.uk ), and Hampshire Constabulary's Facebook page, on Thursday, July 2.

It features CCTV footage of the unknown man attempting to use Mrs Edmonds' cash card and Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barton being interviewed by the Daily Echo's Crime Reporter, Jenny Makin, about the key points in the investigation so far; as well as news clips from ITV Meridian's coverage of the incident, and footage from the BBC Crimewatch appeal.

Mrs Edmonds' was murdered at some time between 11.15am and 3.15pm at her home on Kiln Lane, Brambridge on Friday, January 11, 2008.

The post mortem examination revealed that Mrs Edmonds died as a result of extensive head injuries, caused by a marble rolling pin which belonged to Mrs Edmonds. Mrs Edmonds also sustained a number of other injuries during the attack including a number of apparent stab wounds to her body.

Officers believe Mrs Edmonds was tortured before she was killed and that the offender or offenders used a knife to cause puncture wounds to her body, possibly in an attempt to force her to disclose the PIN for her cash card. Officers are hoping to capture new audiences with the video, who may be able to offer vital information to assist the investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barton, said: "Today would have been Mrs Edmonds' 79th birthday, a day that her and her family should be celebrating together. However, instead we are today appealing for information to help bring her killer to justice.

"I would urge people to spare a few minutes to view the Operation Columbian appeal video and see if there is anything they can remember that could help the investigation. They can also look on the Operation Columbian casebook page of the Hampshire Constabulary website to view CCTV stills and photos relating to the investigation.

"We are still actively following a number of lines of enquiry and following all new pieces of information. However, we still need to trace the items that are missing from Mrs Edmonds' home, which are; a silver credit card holder, a brightly coloured key fob with a key attached, a Lloyds cheque book and cash card, and a black Radley handbag. During the summer months there will be lots more people out and about walking in the area of Brambridge and along the river. I would urge people to be vigilant and to call the police if they think they may have found any of these missing items.

"There are still three people we need to speak to who were inside the Tesco store on Twyford Road, Eastleigh, at around the same time the unknown man in the florescent jacket attempted to use Mrs Edmonds' cash card. These people may have seen this man and may have information that could help us identify him. The photos of the three people can be viewed on the Operation Columbian Casebook page on the Hampshire Constabulary website at www.hampshire.police.uk .

"I would like to reassure people that we will do everything we can to help them if they need support in telling us what they know. Every tiny detail must be gathered so that we can catch the person or people who carried out this horrific attack. "Do you know or suspect anybody that would have had the opportunity to commit this crime on Friday, January 11 2008? Do you know or suspect anybody of using the victim's stolen ATM card at the Tesco Express, Twyford Road, at 10.38pm on the same day? Do you know anybody that has left the area since the day of the murder or has stopped using the Tesco Express store and ATM? Have you noticed a change in behaviour or character of any person but particularly those that might have connections either to Twyford Road or Kiln Lane or both?

"I would urge anyone with any information to come forward and speak to us to help us find the person or people responsible. A £30,000 reward is available and I hope this money will encourage people to come forward."

The video can be viewed on the Southern Daily Echo website at www.dailyecho.co.uk , on YouTube via the link on the Operation Columbian Casebook page in the News and Campaigns section of the Hampshire Constabulary website at www.hampshire.police.uk , or on the Hampshire Constabulary's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hampshireconstabulary .

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