‘Our mum was so much to so many people, help us get justice for Julia’
Family tribute to murdered PCSO
RELATIVES of murdered police support officer Julia James paid tribute yesterday to the wife and mother as they urged people to help catch the killer.
Julia’s husband Paul, two children and other family members told of their loss in an emotional statement, hours after detectives revealed the popular PCSO was battered to death by a mystery attacker.
The 53 year old was killed as she walked her Jack Russell terrier Toby along a remote path near her home in Snowdown, near Dover, Kent, on Tuesday.
The family statement said: “There are no words to adequately describe the void left in our lives by the death of our mum. She was so much to so many people; a wife, mother, daughter, nanny, sister and a friend.
“Mum was fiercely loyal, she loved with her whole heart and nothing was too much trouble for the people she cared about.
“She had a beautiful smile and was always quick to laugh, she was so naturally funny with a brilliant sense of humour.
“The people who knew her will know how kind she was and how she would bring so much fun and life to a room. Her loss will be felt by us every moment of every day.
“As a family we are trying to understand how we will navigate our lives without her. It seems an impossible task.”
Julia’s former Kent Police colleagues do not yet know the motive for the horrific attack and no suspects or murder weapon have been identified.
The family added: “I urge everybody who may have any information, however small or insignificant to contact the police.You could be helping us get justice for Julia.”
Senior officers said Julia died from “serious head injuries” caused by more than one “blunt trauma” blow.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards, of Kent Police, said yesterday: “She had died from blunt trauma to the head. It wouldn’t be appropriate to speak about precise weapons while we examine the circumstances. At this stage I’m saying that she died from significant head injuries – and that is plural.
“I do not at this stage have an identified suspect. We do not know what the motive for this attack is.”
Julia, who was in a domestic violence support role at a Canterbury police station, had been working from home and was not wearing her uniform at the time of the attack.
Mr Richards said her body was discovered by a member of the public with Toby still by her side, unharmed. None of her possessions was stolen.
Police have not ruled out a sexual motive or the possibility Julia’s attacker may be connected to her police work.
Officers have begun investigating other relevant incidents in the area, including reports of a flasher in Nonington earlier this month.
However, Mr Richards has said the inquiry is not being linked to other crimes, including the hammer murders of Lin Russell and her daughter Megan, six, less than three miles away, in 1996.
Mr Richards said the killing had been “incredibly challenging and difficult” for Julia’s colleagues.
He added: “She was a hugely devoted, passionate individual who was completely committed to serving the people of Kent.
“She will be hugely missed and lost by her colleagues. My heartfelt thoughts go out to her family, her friends and of course her colleagues.”
Earlier yesterday, Deputy Chief Constable Tim Smith moved to reassure local people, saying attacks such as this were “thankfully very, very rare”.
He said: “We have asked people in the Snowdown area to remain vigilant and that advice stands.”
Kent Police are asking anyone with information to call officers on 0800 0514526 or submit video footage online.