Police are re-appealing for information into a brutal unsolved murder that shocked Wisbech a decade ago. 

Today (Friday) marks exactly 10 years since the body of Una Crown, 86, was discovered at her home in Magazine Lane.  

The retired postmistress had been stabbed and then set on fire in an attempt to disguise her injuries and destroy evidence.  

But the fire did not spread to the rest of the house and burnt itself out. 

Despite numerous appeals, including a televised reconstruction on BBC’s Crimewatch, the case continues to remain unsolved.

Wisbech Standard:

Det Chief Insp Iain Moor, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Ten years on from this tragic case, Mrs Crown’s murderer remains undetected and we have not been able to get justice for her family.” 

Mrs Crown was last seen alive on Friday, January 11, but had spoken to a friend over the phone at about 5pm on the Saturday.  

Her body was discovered the next day – and police were criticised for how the incident was handled.  

Initially, Mrs Crown’s death was treated as unexplained.  

A murder investigation was only launched when a post-mortem concluded Mrs Crown died from stab wounds to her neck and chest.  

Her inquest later revealed that by then the floor had been mopped to clean up muddy footprints - some of which could have been left by the killer. 

And potential forensic evidence at the scene had been contaminated by people going in and out of the property, touching light switches, door handles and other items. 

BBC1's Crimewatch aired a reconstruction of the killing in April, 2013 with a £10,000 reward offered for information that would lead to Mrs Crown’s killer.  

Wisbech Standard:

After glaring failings in the original investigation came to light, a fresh inquiry was launched the following year, with more high-profile appeals and a new team of detectives. 

It threw up new information, which resulted in the arrests of two men, aged 33 and 40, within weeks. 

Neither was ever charged, nor was a 44-year-old man arrested in January 2015 or a 58-year-old who was arrested a month after the murder. 

However, it is now hoped today’s re-appeal may encourage someone with information to contact them. 

Wisbech Standard:

Det Chief Insp Moor added: “We continue to seek opportunities for new lines of enquiry and on the tenth anniversary of the tragic events, I wanted to re-appeal to the public.  

“We still believe the answer to solving this case lies within the local community. I am urging anyone who has information but not yet come forward, to do the right thing and get in touch – someone out there knows what happened to Mrs Crown.  

“Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, may be key to solving this investigation.” 

Wisbech Standard:

Anyone with information should report to police online quoting Operation  Valyrian, use the web chat service or call 101. 

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously online, or by calling 0800 555 111.