Did you see or contact Jean Dicker on the day she was murdered in her home? That is the urgent plea from Det Supt Gareth Wilson who is leading the search for her killer and is calling on the public to help in the investigation.

The 58-year-old was found with head injuries at her bungalow in Great Clacton.

Mrs Dicker worked for Essex Police as a traffic warden in Colchester until she retired in 1996 and moved to Clacton two years ago.

"We have no suspects at this stage and we desperately need the public's help to move this forward and catch this widow's killer," said Mr Wilson.

"The aim is to find anyone who saw her, spoke to her or knows of her whereabouts on Wednesday from 8am onwards.

"We also want to hear from any friends or acquaintances who can help us build up a picture of her everyday life and movements."

Police also want information of any sightings of people or cars who may have called at the property on Wednesday.

"It may seem something quite insignificant but it is vital that we collect as much as we can about comings and goings from the property any disturbance or anything out of the usual on the day of her death," added Mr Wilson.

Mrs Dickers drove a blue Toyota Carina estate car, index P847 KVW, and officers are also looking for sightings of that on Wednesday.

He said Mrs Dicker's son, Steve, who discovered his mother's body when he returned home, was very distressed and officers were with him.

"We are not treating him as a suspect," he emphasised.

"We are hoping to get a full statement from him later."

So far a murder weapon has not been found.

Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to contact police at Clacton on 01255 221312

Published Friday, January 31, 2003

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