Handbag picture in murder probe

Police are looking for Mrs Edmonds' bag and her key fob

Detectives investigating the murder of a 77-year-old Hampshire woman have released a picture of her handbag which they think was stolen by her killer.

The body of Georgina Edmonds was found by her son in the kitchen of her home in Brambridge on 11 January.

Police are also posting letters to some 20,000 residents living near her Kiln Lane home appealing for information.

The pack, detailing items missing from Mrs Edmonds' house, appeals for people to check gardens and bins.

Terrier logo

Det Ch Insp Paul Barton said: "We believe her handbag was in the kitchen and that it may have been taken by the offender."

He said the black Radley handbag has a green or turquoise Radley Scottish terrier logo badge attached to it.

Post-mortem tests showed Georgina Edmonds died from head injuries

A distinctive key fob, Mrs Edmonds' cash card and cheque book are also missing since the killing.

Homes in Otterbourne, Brambridge and Eastleigh will receive the letters.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mrs Edmonds had died from extensive head injuries.

Avon and Somerset Constabulary's diving team is continuing to search the river near to Mrs Edmond's home looking for any discarded items.

Det Ch Insp Barton, said: "We still believe that the community holds vital information, no matter how small or irrelevant you think it might be it could be crucial to our investigation.

"We are mindful that our investigation has caused disruption to the local community," he added.

"But we hope that residents are able to understand the lengths we must go to, to identify the person or people responsible."

Four men were arrested on 14 January. Three of them were released without charge the following day, while a 37-year-old man was released on bail.