How PCSO Julia looked on day of murder
Police release new image of community support officer and her dog, Toby, to hopefully jog memories
DETECTIVES hunting the killer of police community support officer Julia James admitted they are still no closer to establishing a motive as they released a new picture of her in the outfit she was wearing the day she was attacked.
The photograph shows the 53-yearold mother of two in a light blue waterproof coat, blue jeans and dark brown Wellington boots with her Jack Russell, Toby.
It is the same outfit she was wearing on April 27 when she was bludgeoned to death while walking Toby along a footpath next to Akholt Wood in the Aylesham Road area of Snowdown, Kent.
More than a week on, police confirmed they still had not made any arrests or established a motive.
Assistant Chief Constable Tom Richards, of Kent Police, 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 is a stranger attack – of course that possibility is particularly frightening for local residents.”
Forensic specialists have been at the scene since last week and Mr Richards confirmed that even the dog had been examined for traces of DNA.
Mr Richards said he hoped the image of Mrs James with her Jack Russell would help jog someone’s memory who was in the area at the time.
He 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.
“Perhaps you were going for a run, walking your own dog, driving through or farming your land.
“We want to hear from anyone who was in the area or who saw Julia. Any and all information is welcomed and our detectives will decide what is relevant to their investigation. We’ve had some fantastic support already from the local community and we’re incredibly grateful for their compassion and patience whilst we carry out our enquiries.”
At a press conference Mr Richards said hundreds of officers have been “investigating relentlessly” since members of the public reported the discovery of the body at 4.08pm on Tuesday April 27.
Police are continuing to carry out house to house enquiries and officers have also been stopping vehicles. They spoke to 189 drivers in the local area on Tuesday.
Mr Richards added: “Enquiries continue at pace, as does our very visible presence in the Aylesham and Snowdown areas.
“Whilst we will not be telling people what they can and can’t do, we are urging people to be vigilant and to be aware of their surroundings. Work is still
‘I do not know the motive for this attack. I do not know if it’s someone she knew … [or] if it’s a stranger attack’
under way to establish the motive for Julia’s killing and we’re keen people stay and feel safe.”
Police revealed that Mrs James had been working at home and had been alone on the afternoon of April 27.
At some point she had decided to take her dog, Toby, out for his walk and was wearing her distinctive blue anorak.
Mr Richards said he would not speculate on where exactly he thought Mrs James had been killed, but members of the public found her body on the footpath next to Akholt Wood.
Asked what forensic searches were taking place, Mr Richards replied: “We are building a large forensic picture and it does include the dog. It is being carried out, we have considered all options around Toby [the dog].”
Specialists from the National Crime Agency have been assisting with the investigation.