PCSO Julia’s dog tested for DNA clues in hunt for her killer
THE beloved Jack Russell of murdered PCSO Julia James may hold DNA clues to her killing, police say.
They have tested her dog – Toby – for forensic evidence.
It came as detectives released a chilling photo showing Julia in the same clothes she was wearing when she was bludgeoned to death.
The 53-year-old’s body was found in Akholt Wood in Snowdown, Kent, where she had taken Toby for a walk last Tuesday.
Police yesterday admitted they do not know why she was killed.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards said: “I do not know the motive of this attack, I do not know if it’s somebody she knew, I do not know if it’s a stranger attack.
“That possibility is particularly frightening to local residents. I don’t know, therefore, if it’s someone who is regu
larly in the area.” He said Julia’s dog had been tested for possible DNA evidence, adding: “We’ve got a very considerable forensic strategy and it does include the dog.”
Detectives hope the newly released photo, showing how the police community support
officer looked on the day of her murder, will jog the memories of any witnesses.
In the picture, the mum of two is wearing a light blue waterproof coat, blue jeans and brown wellies. She has Toby on his lead. It is thought the photo was taken on a previous
walk rather than on the day she was murdered.
Mr Richards said: “We want to hear from people who think they saw her walking Toby on that day and we also want to speak to people who were in the area that afternoon or who saw
Julia.” Officers have released little other detail about the scene.
Julia, a grandmother, worked at a domestic violence unit in Canterbury. She died from serious head injuries.
Police are still carrying out house-to-house enquiries in Snowdown, her home village, and neighbouring Aylesham.
On Tuesday, a week after the tragedy, they quizzed the occupants of 449 cars.
It also emerged yesterday that parents were warned of a prowler who accosted a child in a neighbouring village and asked for Instagram pictures.
The youngster was walking through Martin Mill, eight miles from Snowdown, when a man stopped in a car and, after asking for directions, offered money for the social media snaps.
Sir Roger Manwood’s School in Sandwich, Kent, sent a note to parents warning them about the incident near the railway station.