19/02/2009

£20k Reward Offered In Renewed Murder Appeal

Detectives investigating the murder of grandmother Ade Pukeliene are renewing appeals for information a year after her murder.

Officers will be returning to the scene and surrounding areas on Thursday 26 February to distribute posters and leaflets to the local community.

They are also releasing a picture of a scooter similar to the one used by the suspects and reiterating details of the £20,000 reward available to anyone able to provide information leading to identification, arrest and prosecution of the person(s) responsible for the murder.

Ade was attacked close to her home in Emerald Close, E16 on 28 February 2008. Officers are aware that two male suspects made off on a scooter towards the Beckton District Park.

Detective Inspector Brian Mather, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command based at Barking said: "A year on from Ade's murder, we still need the public's assistance in providing information to help us identify her attackers.

"Ade was assaulted only metres from her own doorstep while her young grandson was waiting for her to come home from work.

"This was a dreadful attack on a well-loved and respected grandmother, who had plans to dedicate more time to her family.

"We still need help in tracing the final route of the suspects on the scooter and we hope that the latest picture of a similar scooter will jog someone's memory. We believe the riders were seen travelling across the Beckton District Park at about 06.50hrs on the morning of the murder. This park has a number of exits and it is possible that the riders escaped along a neighbouring street or the A13. We urgently need to speak to anyone who may have further information and could have seen this scooter."

Ade was a night cleaner who worked at a bank in the Canary Wharf complex. CCTV footage revealed Ade leaving work in Canary Wharf at about 6am on 28 February. She is clearly seen wearing a pink hat, light coloured jacket and dark trousers. Ade had been carrying a black shoulder handbag, which was missing when she was found in Emerald Close.

A post mortem examination took place at East Ham Mortuary on 29 February 2008 - the cause of death was head injury.

Ade was a widow who leaves one daughter, aged 35, a son-in-law, and a grandchild.

Anyone who can assist police with their appeals is asked to contact the incident room on 020 8345 3734; if you wish to remain anonymous please call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

(JM/BMcC)

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