Family's grief at widow's murder

Edwina Perry said Mrs Weir would have defended herself

Relatives of a pensioner who was stabbed to death have expressed their shock at the killing of a woman "with a heart of gold".

Speaking at a news conference, Margaret Weir's great niece and great nephew appealed for help from people who may be able to help solve the crime.

The 93-year-old widow was found dead in the hallway of her flat in Raglan Street, Glasgow, on Christmas Eve.

At the conference it emerged that robbery was a possible motive.

Edwina Perry and Jim McAndrew, both serving police officers, were visibly upset as they spoke to reporters at Strathclyde Police headquarters in Glasgow.

They said Margaret, who was affectionately known as Peggy, had always believed that you should leave your door open for visitors.

She had all the old values and was trusting of everybody, still believing that you could leave your door open for visitors Edwina Perry Margaret Weir's great niece

Ms Perry, 41, said: "Peggy had a heart of gold and was the type of person who always thought the best of everyone.

"Everyone who knew her thought very highly of her and she will be sadly missed by us all.

"She had all the old values and was trusting of everybody, still believing that you could leave your door open for visitors."

However, Ms Perry, an officer at Maryhill Police Station, added: "In saying this, the family believes that if she encountered a threatening stranger in the house, she would have a go at them and scream in an attempt to frighten them off."

Ms Perry was joined by Mr McAndrew - a sergeant based in Ayrshire - and Mrs Weir's 78-year-old niece Betty Thomson at the news conference.

Sum of money

Mr McAndrew said his great aunt was a "very meticulous person" who "liked to be well-presented when people arrived at the house to see her".

He said: "She was extremely independent and, although frail, still liked to attempt to care for herself.

"She was generous at all times and it was often commented within the family that if you admired something, the next thing you knew she would be giving it to you.

"Peggy was a dear old lady, who did not deserve to die in such a way, and I and the rest of her family urge anyone who has any information that could help catch the person or persons responsible to contact the police."

Mrs Weir's body was found by a neighbour in her Woodside flat at about 0810 GMT on 24 December.

Detective Superintendent Kenny Watters said a sum of money was found in Mrs Weir's home and officers were checking to see if any had been stolen, although so far there was no evidence of this.

Det Supt Kenny Watters said someone may have key evidence

"That confirms the stories of neighbours and family that Peggy, like numerous old people, kept money in her house," he said.

"She didn't trust the banks and wanted to have her money at hand."

Mr Watters added that it was possible someone has been withholding vital information that could lead officers to the killer.

He said: "The injuries sustained by Peggy would indicate that the person or persons responsible may have blood staining on their clothes.

"Somebody must know something about this crime and I would ask people to consider whether there has been a change in demeanour of a loved one or relative, particularly over the festive period.

"I can't see how anybody could stab an elderly woman numerous times within her house and carry on with life as normal."

The officer said detectives were continuing to examine closed circuit television footage and forensic evidence.

He added: "Two out of three men who were seen in the area of Raglan Street between 5am and 6am on the morning of the murder have now been eliminated from inquiries."