Police seeking details of murdered woman's life (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Police seeking details of murdered woman's life

10:29am Monday 20th October 2008 in

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POLICE are appealing to residents to help them piece together the history of a woman who was beaten to death in a Walthamstow churchyard.

The body of Melita Jo, 53, was discovered by a passer-by on the morning of Tuesday, September 30 in the grounds of St Mary’s Church in Walthamstow Village and a post mortem revealed that her murderer beat her repeatedly around the head and body.

Originally from the Philippines she had been living in the churchyard for some time but had previously lived in Wanstead after coming to London in 1992.

Police believe she had moved around London working as a domestic help throughout the period to 2005 when she moved to Wanstead where a Filipino woman gave her a rent free room for three to four months while she looked after her dogs.

That year she was also known to be sleeping outside Redbridge Underground Station because there were no vacancies at the Ilford Night Shelter at the time.

Investigating officer Det Chief Insp John MacDonald said: “This was a disgraceful and cowardly attack.

"Melita was a Filipino lady of slight build, and she has received very severe injuries from a sustained beating. She could not have defended herself and although she was homeless, Melita was a religious lady, not a drinker or drugs abuser, and she was no harm to anyone.

"I would like to speak to anyone who knew Melita who can shed light on her background to contact us.

"We do not know of any relations that she had in this country and are unable to identify close friends because she appears to have been a very private woman".

A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the murder and is due to appear at the Old Bailey on December 30.

• Anyone with information is asked to call Chingford CID on 0208 345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.