Una Crown murder: Fresh appeal six months on

The family of an 86-year-old widow murdered in her Cambridgeshire home have made an appeal six months after her death.

Una Crown's body was found stabbed and burned at her bungalow in Magazine Lane, Wisbech, on 13 January.

Her niece, Judy Payne, said the murder of her "kind-hearted and very private" aunt was "beyond comprehension".

Police are revisiting the scene to appeal again for witnesses and a mobile station has been set up in the town.

Mrs Crown's body was discovered by her niece's husband, who went to collect her on the morning of Sunday 13 January for a day out with the family.

'Security-conscious'

A post-mortem examination concluded she had been stabbed repeatedly, including through the heart and lungs.

Her body had then been set alight in what police believe was an attempt to cover up the murder.

Police believe Mrs Crown may have recognised her killer

Mrs Crown had not been seen alive since Friday 11 January, but had spoken to a friend by telephone at about 17:00 GMT the following day.

Three men were seen near her home late on Saturday night.

A man arrested and bailed in connection with the case has since been released without charge.

Mrs Payne, 69, said: "I really, really hope that anybody out there who knows anything, or thinks they know anything at all, if they would just come forward.

"Six months have now gone by and to us it's a lifetime."

Det Insp David Grierson, leading the investigation for Cambridgeshire Police, said: "Mrs Crown was a very security-conscious lady who would always check who was outside before opening the door.

"I genuinely believe she knew the person who was at the door or had a very good reason to open it to whoever was there."

He added: "I still believe there's a lot of information in the community in Wisbech.

"Somebody out there knows who's done this."

Mrs Crown's wedding ring and her front door key have not yet been recovered.

The charity Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information which leads to the conviction of her killer.