Paphos People

A pensioner who was brutally bludgeoned to death in her own home was tortured for her PIN number just before she was murdered, Hampshire Police have revealed.

Georgina Edmonds, 77, was killed two months ago, sparking one of Hampshire's biggest investigations.

Now, in a bid to track down her killer or killers, Hampshire Police have revealed more details about the attack.

A post-mortem examination revealed at the time that Mrs Edmonds died as a result of extensive head injuries at her cottage in Brambridge. She was discovered by her son Harry and a family friend. Several personal items including her handbag and her keys were taken.

But now detectives say that Mrs Edmonds also sustained a number of other injuries including stab wounds to her body.

Officers believe Mrs Edmonds was tortured before she was killed and that the attacker or attackers used a knife to cause puncture wounds to her body in an attempt to force her to disclose the PIN number for her cash card.

Det Chief Insp Paul Barton, said: "This was a horrific attack on an elderly lady who lived alone and we are continuing to urge the community to come forward with information that could help us find the person or people responsible.

"At this time we believe the weapon used to torture Mrs Edmonds was possibly a kitchen paring knife or something of similar shape and size. This weapon has not yet been located.

"I would like to remind the community that these type of offences are incredibly rare and there have been no other similar attacks anywhere else in the United Kingdom, in terms of the pattern of injuries."

The prime suspect in the case is a man captured on CCTV on the evening of Mrs Edmonds' death trying to take money from her account at a cashpoint machine in Eastleigh - just a few miles from her home.

The man was dressed in a fluorescent jacket and failed to get any money but police have not been able to trace him.

Officers have also been unable to trace two men seen on several occasions at Brambridge Garden Centre close to Mrs Edmonds' home on the day of her murder, despite releasing e-fits of them.

Mr Barton said: "Do you know or suspect anybody of using the victim's stolen ATM card at the Tesco Express, Twyford Road, at 10.38pm on the same day?

"Do you know anybody that has left the area since the day of the murder or have stopped using the Tesco Express store and ATM?

"Have you noticed a change in behaviour or character of any person but particularly those that might have connections either to Twyford Road or Kiln Lane or both?"

The detective added: "While we are still keeping an open mind as to the location of the offender or offenders, we still believe that they are local to the area and urge the public to contact us with any information that they may have."

Four men from a nearby ex-offenders' hostel were arrested on suspicion of murder but all have been released without any charges.