Mystery as homicide of trainer discovered stabbed in own residence 30 years in the past nonetheless unsolved
Joy Hewer, 52, was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in her own home at St David’s Court, Walthamstow, east London, in October 1995 – and her killer has never been found
Met detectives probing the murder of Joy Hewer three decades ago are appealing for information, with a reward of up to £20,000 on offer for any details that could assist police in apprehending her killer.
Ms Hewer, a 52-year-old primary school teacher, was sexually assaulted and stabbed to death in her own flat at St David’s Court, Walthamstow. There were no indications of forced entry into the sixth-floor flat, suggesting she may have known her assailant. Her body was discovered in her bedroom after police responded to two intentional fires.
Met Detectives are persistently pursuing all leads in their investigation using contemporary forensic techniques, including the analysis of a profile using advancements in DNA technology.
The Met is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of the individual(s) responsible for her murder.
Now, Ms Hewer’s younger sister is making an appeal for help, as she pays tribute to a ‘gentle, caring woman’ – stating the family now ‘deserves peace’.
Penny Barnes, 72, from Bedfordshire, said: “Thirty years ago, my sister Joy was brutally murdered in her own home. She was a gentle, caring woman who hurt no one, yet her life was taken in the cruellest way. Our family has lived with this torment for three decades, and our parents died without ever knowing the truth.
“Someone out there knows what happened. Please, after all this time, do the right thing. Even the smallest detail could finally bring justice for Joy and peace for us, her family. If you know something, however small, now is the time to speak up – Joy deserves justice, and her family deserves peace.”
Police hope the reward of up to £20,000 will encourage anyone with information about this incident to come forward and help the investigation.
Detective Constable Murray Bannister, from the Met’s Cold Case Homicide Team, said: “We urge anyone who might have information about what happened to Joy 30 years ago to contact police.
“A full DNA profile was recovered from the scene and we are continuing to explore all opportunities, including advancements in DNA technology. It may seem a long time ago, but three decades have not dulled the pain that this horrific act inflicted on her family. They are still fighting to get her justice, and we continue to use every means available to catch her killer.”
Who was Joy Hewer?
Joy, a devoted Christian, was 52 at the time of her death. She had worked locally as a much-loved primary school teacher, most notably at nearby Woodhouse Primary School.
Following her retirement she worked tirelessly to raise money for local charities and church organisations. After multiple police appeals detectives were able to piece together Joy’s final movements.
What happened?
Joy visited the London Healing Mission, in Notting Hill, on the afternoon she was murdered. She carried out voluntary work at the Centre and was seen by a colleague leaving the Mission at around 3.30pm.
She made her way towards Pembridge Road before popping into a chemist near her home on Wood Street, Walthamstow, at 5.50pm.
A resident at St. David’s Court confirmed hearing loud noises or banging coming from Joy’s flat between 10.30pm and 11pm.
At 11.18pm on October 17 1995, a call was placed from a public telephone box along Fulbourne Road, Walthamstow. The male caller requested assistance from the London Fire Brigade, having noticed smoke billowing from Joy’s flat.
Police have made numerous appeals to trace this caller, even releasing his 999 call in an attempt to find him. He remains a person of interest in the investigation as he could provide crucial information.
During the call, the caller can be heard asking someone nearby what road they were on to help the emergency call handler. He was actually speaking to an individual, gender unknown, who was waiting at a bus stop.
This bus stop served buses heading to Walthamstow Central (212) and Leytonstone Station (W16). This individual has yet to be found.
The Met has also released a CCTV image of a man they are keen to identify. He was seen entering the front of St David’s Court around 10.30pm on the night Joy was killed.
Suspect’s description
He is described as white, in his 30s with short hair, and was wearing a light-coloured jacket.
The police were initially alerted by the London Fire Brigade at 11.45pm on Tuesday, 17 October 1995, following reports of a fire at a sixth-floor flat.
Firefighters forced entry into the property and found Joy’s injured body in the bedroom of her E17 flat.
Two smouldering fires, intentionally started in the bedroom and another in the lounge, had to be put out. A post-mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be multiple injuries, including several stab wounds to her chest.
The pathologist also indicated that Joy had been sexually assaulted before her death.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact the Met on 07599822129, or, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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