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Betty Yates murder: 'Devastated' family appeals for help | Betty Yates murder: 'Devastated' family appeals for help |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The daughter of murdered Worcestershire pensioner Betty Yates has said the family is "devastated" by her death. | The daughter of murdered Worcestershire pensioner Betty Yates has said the family is "devastated" by her death. |
The 77-year-old retired teacher was found stabbed to death at her cottage near Bewdley on 4 January. | The 77-year-old retired teacher was found stabbed to death at her cottage near Bewdley on 4 January. |
Daughter Hazel Costello said it was possible their mother knew who killed her and "this only makes things worse". | Daughter Hazel Costello said it was possible their mother knew who killed her and "this only makes things worse". |
She said it was "even more difficult to bear" that it happened in her own home where Mrs Yates had been "so happy". | She said it was "even more difficult to bear" that it happened in her own home where Mrs Yates had been "so happy". |
'Heart of community' | |
Mrs Costello told a media conference: "Our mum and dad searched for many years to find this spot and then built their dream, not just in bricks and mortar. | Mrs Costello told a media conference: "Our mum and dad searched for many years to find this spot and then built their dream, not just in bricks and mortar. |
"Our father Ray died almost seven years ago and there was never a possibility in our minds that mum would want to leave the cottage. She was so happy there, it is a truly beautiful place filled with shared family memories." | "Our father Ray died almost seven years ago and there was never a possibility in our minds that mum would want to leave the cottage. She was so happy there, it is a truly beautiful place filled with shared family memories." |
Mrs Yates' son David, who appeared at the media conference alongside Mrs Costello, said their mother had been at the "heart of the community in Bewdley". | Mrs Yates' son David, who appeared at the media conference alongside Mrs Costello, said their mother had been at the "heart of the community in Bewdley". |
He said since their father's death, their mother had "busied herself because she missed him". | He said since their father's death, their mother had "busied herself because she missed him". |
"We know from all the cards we have had how much she was loved and will be missed," Mr Yates, 51, said. | |
He added: "We are at a loss to understand why somebody could do this and what we really need is some kind of explanation." | |
Mrs Costello, 53, said: "We are completely bewildered as to who would carry out such a savage attack on our mother." | |
Appealing for information, she asked anyone who knew anything to come forward. | |
"Please think about how we are hurting and tell the police what you know," she said. | |
Police investigation | |
Det Ch Insp Neil Jamieson, who is leading the investigation, said it was vital that anyone who had visited Mrs Yates' cottage between 28 December and 2 January contacted detectives. | |
"Knowing who else has been at the cottage other than Mrs Yates, even if someone just popped in for a moment, could prevent officers wasting time and resources that could be focused on other parts of the investigation," he said. | |
Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the killer. | Crimestoppers has offered a £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of the killer. |
Mrs Yates had been beaten with her walking stick and stabbed in the neck. | Mrs Yates had been beaten with her walking stick and stabbed in the neck. |