Police identify stabbed woman, 81

An 81-year-old woman found murdered at her home in Surrey has been formally identified as Joyce Cregeen.

She was found by a member of the public who visited her house in Sefton Road, Epsom, at about midday on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had been stabbed repeatedly in the torso. No murder weapon has been found.

Police said Mrs Cregeen had lived alone in her house since the death of her husband Arthur in 1997. She has one daughter who does not live in Surrey.

Before retirement she worked in an administrative civilian role for the City of London Police.

"You just don't expect this to happen especially to a lady of Joyce's age"
Dorothy Winter, neighbour

Detectives have been viewing CCTV footage of the area and conducting house-to-house inquiries.

Forensic experts were still examining the inside of her house on Saturday, while officers searched the surrounding area for anything related to the killing.

There was no sign of forced entry to the house and police have yet to establish a possible motive for the killing.

Police have urged any friends of Mrs Cregeen who have not yet spoken to them to get in touch so that they can try to build a better picture of her lifestyle.

Neighbours of Mrs Cregeen have spoken of their shock and sadness at the death of a "nice old lady".

'No kudos'

Dorothy Winter said: "This is absolutely terrible. Everybody around here is really frightened.

"You just don't expect this to happen especially to a lady of Joyce's age."

She added that Mrs Cregeen had chosen not to venture out much following the death some time ago of her husband.

Patricia Druhan, another neighbour, said she received regular visits at home from people including her cleaner, hairdresser and friends, as well as drop-offs from a local grocer.

Det Ch Insp Jo Sidaway, from Surrey Police, said: "We will leave no stone unturned to discover who is responsible for this vicious murder.

"The killer of a defenceless, elderly woman deserves no kudos or protection from anyone who knows what has happened."

Police appealed for anyone who was in the Sefton Road area between Wednesday evening and Thursday morning to contact them.

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