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Betty Yates murder: Letters sent to police Betty Yates murder: Letters sent to police
(40 minutes later)
Two anonymous letters have been sent to police investigating the murder of a former teacher in Worcestershire.Two anonymous letters have been sent to police investigating the murder of a former teacher in Worcestershire.
Betty Yates, 77, was found stabbed in her cottage by the River Severn in Bewdley, Worcestershire.Betty Yates, 77, was found stabbed in her cottage by the River Severn in Bewdley, Worcestershire.
West Mercia Police said the letters have given them two new lines of inquiry.West Mercia Police said the letters have given them two new lines of inquiry.
Police also want to speak to a man in his 20s seen walking near Mrs Yates' cottage on 2 January - the night police believe she was murdered.Police also want to speak to a man in his 20s seen walking near Mrs Yates' cottage on 2 January - the night police believe she was murdered.
Det Ch Insp Neil Jamieson said he does not believe the typewritten letters were sent by the same person.Det Ch Insp Neil Jamieson said he does not believe the typewritten letters were sent by the same person.
And he appealed for the mystery authors to come forward to help in the hunt for the killer. He said: "The letters give different information - I do not believe they have been written by the same person and I appeal for both those persons to come forward."
Police said they have also been given new information by someone who was driving along a lane close to the scene on the night Mrs Yates was killed. He said one letter was delivered to a local police station through the mail, the other was sent to the major investigation unit.
The driver reported seeing man in his 20s wearing a thigh-length dark-coloured jacket walking alone at about 20:30 GMT. Detectives are also trying to find a man who was spotted close to the scene on the night Mrs Yates was killed.
A driver reported seeing a man in his 20s wearing a thigh-length dark-coloured jacket walking alone at about 20:30 GMT.
Det Ch Insp Jamieson said: "We are keen to speak to that man in the strictest confidence."Det Ch Insp Jamieson said: "We are keen to speak to that man in the strictest confidence."
Police said they have removed the cordon leading from the riverside cottage to Dowles Road after search teams finished combing surrounding fields and woodland.Police said they have removed the cordon leading from the riverside cottage to Dowles Road after search teams finished combing surrounding fields and woodland.
Purse still missingPurse still missing
Forensic work will be continuing in the cottage "for some time", police said.Forensic work will be continuing in the cottage "for some time", police said.
Mrs Yates was beaten with her own walking stick and then stabbed in the neck.Mrs Yates was beaten with her own walking stick and then stabbed in the neck.
Her walking stick and the knife used have since been recovered.Her walking stick and the knife used have since been recovered.
Officers are still searching for Mrs Yates's keys, which were attached to a black, pencil case-sized purse.Officers are still searching for Mrs Yates's keys, which were attached to a black, pencil case-sized purse.