WALTHAMSTOW: Police still determined to catch graveyard killer one year on (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

WALTHAMSTOW: Police still determined to catch graveyard killer one year on

5:00pm Monday 28th September 2009

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POLICE investigating the murder of Melita Jo have still not given up hope of catching her killer, as the anniversary of her death approaches.

Homeless Mrs Jo was beaten to death in the grounds of St Mary's Church, in Church End, last year, in a crime that shocked the Walthamstow village community.

A passerby spotted her body on September 30 near the bench where she often slept.

Jonathan Linzell, 30, of no fixed abode was initially accused of murdering Mrs Jo but was released from custody on the eve of his Old Bailey trial after the Crown Proescution Service decided its case was not strong enough.

Det Chief Insp John McDonald, who led the initial investigation, stressed the case file is still very much open and a further forensic review will be carried out.

DCI McDonald said: “There are still things we can do, we are not putting it away.”

No forensic evidence has emerged so far, there does not appear to have been any witnesses and the murder was not captured on CCTV.

But DCI McDonald still believes that somebody knows who the culprit is.

He said: “People don't tend to go out and kill somebody without telling somebody about it, usually a friend or relative.

“It is very rare that someone does something like this in isolation.”

A service to remember Mrs Jo, whose body was repatriated to the Philippines following her death, will take place at St Mary's Church on Sunday from 4pm, with money raised going to homeless charities.

A plaque on a bench in the churchyard will be dedicated to Mrs Jo, who was a familiar sight to many in the community.

Katy Daniels, St Mary's churchgoer, has helped organise the service.

She said: “It is a chance for the people of the community in which she lived to remember her.”

ANYONE with information that could help the murder investigation should call police on 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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