BETTY Yates may have known her killer says the detective leading the murder hunt.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil Jamieson said there was “little sign of a break in” at Riverscroft, in Bewdley, where the 77-year-old’s body was discovered, but they could not rule a burglary out.

He said there was a “possibility it may be someone she knew” after police found the isolated cottage secure, with the blinds drawn.

Police found the retired teacher’s body at the foot of her stairs on Wednesday, January 4 but believe she was murdered two days earlier. She had been beaten with her own walking stick before being stabbed in the neck.

Mrs Yates’ keys, which she normally carried with her, are still missing and police think the killer or killers may have used them to lock the door when they left.

Speaking outside Riverscroft, he appealed for anyone who might have seen the keys on a fob attached to a black, pencil case-size purse to come forward immediately.

He also appealed for the authors of two anonymous letters to come forward to provide vital leads. He said: “The letters are both typed. They give differing information and I do not believe they have been written by the same person.”

He would not comment on the content of the letters but said he believed both to be from third parties rather than the killer or killers.

One letter was hand-delivered to Bewdley police station, while the other was received by a major incident unit.

Officers have removed the outer cordon leading from the riverside cottage about a mile up to Dowles Road. DCI Jamieson said it was too early to say how many killers they were looking for or if they accessed the cottage on foot or in a vehicle.

He added police wanted to speak to a man seen walking alone close to the murder scene on Monday, January 2. A motorist driving out of Bewdley towards Button Oak reported seeing the man between 8.20pm and 8.30pm.

The man is described as white, in his 20s and wearing a thigh length dark coloured jacket. DCI Jamieson said police were keen to speak to that man in the strictest confidence to eliminate him from the inquiry.

Anyone with information should call the Major Incident Room at Stourport on 0300 333 3000, or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.