£10,000 reward to help catch house-sitter's killer in 'Midsomer Murder' village

 
Victim: artist Valerie Graves was beaten to death in Bosham, West Sussex
18 March 2014
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Detectives investigating the murder of a grandmother while she house-sat for friends are offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of her killer.

More than 200 people have been interviewed since the body of Valerie Graves was found with serious head and facial injuries in a ground-floor bedroom at a waterside property in Smugglers Lane, Bosham, near Chichester, on December 30.

The seaside village featured in an episode of TV drama Midsomer Murders.

Sussex police have also taken more than 100 statements but feel there may still be witnesses who have not come forward.

Ms Graves, a 55-year-old artist, was beaten to death as she house-sat with her mother, sister and her sister’s partner while the owners were on holiday abroad over Christmas.

A 22-year-old man arrested on suspicion of her murder in January was later released on bail.

Police have previously released an image of a hammer found nearby which is believed to be the murder weapon. They also received about 20 calls following a BBC Crimewatch appeal in January.

Detective Superintendent Nick May, of Surrey and Sussex major crime team, said: “We know that a hammer, found nearby in Hoe Lane, was used by the offender and we are seeking the public’s help to catch this person before they hurt someone else.”

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