Pensioner 'may have known killer'

Margaret Weir was found dead in her flat on Christmas Eve

A 93-year-old woman who was stabbed to death in her home on Christmas Eve may have known her killer, police believe.

The detective leading the murder hunt said entry to Margaret Weir's flat in Maryhill, Glasgow, had not been forced.

Det Supt Kenny Watters said officers wanted to speak to three men seen in the Raglan Street area between 0500 and 0600 GMT on Friday.

He said the crime had "shocked and sickened even the most hardened of detectives working on the inquiry".

Mrs Weir's body was discovered by a neighbour shortly after 0800 GMT at the address in Raglan Street.

The pensioner, known as Peggy to her neighbours, was widowed 10 years ago and lived alone.

Police want to trace three men seen in the area

Mr Watters said the motive for the attack on the 93-year-old was unclear.

"There was no forced entry to the house and there is a possibility that Peggy may have known her attacker and opened the door or indeed had left her door insecure," he said.

"There is nothing in Peggy's background to indicate why she was singled out in this case.

"She was a popular member of the local community, well known in the area, although her movements were restricted to short periods of exercise on the balcony outside her home."

More than 40 detectives are working on the case.

Mr Watters added: "The level of violence shown against a defenceless, frail member of the community within her own home on Christmas Eve has shocked and sickened even the most hardened of detectives working on the inquiry."