On the 15th of May 2008, Joyce Cregeen (81) was found stabbed to death at home in Sefton Road, Epsom, Surrey. Joyce had been stabbed 25- 66 times (depending on the source) and discovered by her hairdresser. The hairdresser testified that she had let herself in with her key, and called out for Joyce but there was no answer so she went upstairs.
Seeing blood on the stairlift at the top of the stairs the hairdresser ran upstairs and found Joyce lying across the bed with her feet dangling over the side that was nearest to the window. A pillow covered half her face and her body and arms were covered in blood. The area of the bed on which she was lying was heavily stained with blood, as was the T-shirt that she used to wear in bed.
The Investigation
Joyce's cleaner (Nicola Bushnell - 44) was was charged with her murder but was acquitted in November 2009 after a trial. Nicola had admitted to stealing from Joyce, but denied killing her.
In December 2019, the Metropolitan police said they were re-opening the investigation and that a review, including full forensic analysis, was carried out after new information came to light. This new information identified additional lines of inquiry.