£30,000 reward after OAP murder

Police believe Elsie Hughes may have known her murderer

Police have offered a £30,000 reward to catch the killer of a 90-year-old widow brutally beaten by an intruder in her home.

North Wales Police have also revealed that retired school cook Elsie Hughes may have known her murderer.

Det Chief Supt Ross Duffield said there were no indications of forced entry at her home in Abermorddu, near Wrexham.

Mrs Hughes was found in the lounge of her home in Hawarden Road late on 8 September. She died the next day.

Revealing details of the reward on Wednesday, Mr Duffield said there had been an "overwhelming response from the public" and that 750 individual witness statements had been taken so far.

"That's helped us to establish an overall picture of the events of the eight of September but despite this there's still a number of gaps in our information and we need to fill those - and it's vital we do so," he added.

There may be somebody on hearing our appeals who may show some obvious signs of distress or disturbance. Someone out there will know something about this crime Det Chief Supt Ross Duffield

Referring to the theory that Mrs Hughes may have known her murderer, he explained that both front and back doors to the pensioner's house had been locked and that there was no sign of force entry.

"If Elsie allowed the killer into her home," he added, "did she do that because she knew that person or was there some sort of deception practiced upon her, which enabled the killer to gain access?

A Crimewatch reconstruction shows a suspect near the scene

"Remember that Elsie was found in a nightdress, she'd made preparations to retire to bed - why would she open the door to somebody under those conditions?

"It was a rain swept evening, it was dark, and this lady was ready for bed...

"The killer would have been blood stained, blood stained clothing may have been disposed of, discarded, not seen since the attack, somebody may have left the area and moved elsewhere at short notice in odd circumstances... somebody's behaviour may have changed.

"There may be somebody on hearing our appeals who may show some obvious signs of distress or disturbance. Someone out there will know something about this crime."

Meanwhile, detectives have been working with other forces to try to identify links with similar murders across the country. They have so far drawn a blank.

Attack motive

They are still keen to trace a man wearing a white hooded top who was seen leaving Mrs Hughes' home on the night of the attack. He may also have had an accomplice.

Detectives also want to talk to a couple seen at a nearby Chinese takeaway between 1800 and 1900 BST on the evening of the murder.

Officers have said they believe the motive for the attack was theft. Less than £200 was taken.

Her murder came just weeks after she was the victim of a distraction burglary.

Anyone with information is asked to contact North Wales Police on 0845 6071001 (Welsh language line) or 0845 6071002 (English language line) or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.