Renewed Appeal In 1995 School Teacher Murder Investigation

A fresh appeal for information has been issued 20 years after the murder of a Walthamstow school teacher.

Joy Hewer was sexually assaulted and stabbed in an attack at her flat in Walthamstow on Tuesday, 17 October 1995. No one has ever been charged with her murder.

Police were originally called by the London Fire Brigade at 23:45 on Tuesday, 17 October 1995 to reports of a blaze at a sixth floor flat.

Ms Hewer's body was discovered when firefighters broke into the flat. Two smouldering fires, deliberately started in the bedroom and another in the lounge, had to be extinguished.

A post mortem examination, held at the Queen's Road Mortuary in Walthamstow, revealed the cause of death to be multiple injuries, including a number of stab wounds.

Ms Hewer, was 52-years-old at the time of her death. She had worked locally as a primary school teacher, most notably at nearby Woodhouse Primary School. After retirement she worked to raise money for local charities and church organisations.

Following numerous police appeals detectives were able to piece together Joy's last movements.

Officers are aware that Joy visited the London Healing Mission, in Notting Hill, W2 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 15:30. She headed towards Pembridge Road before visiting a chemist close to her home address in Wood Street, Walthamstow at 17:50.

A neighbour at St. David's Court confirmed hearing loud noises or banging coming from Joy's flat at around 22:30.

At 23:18 on 17.10.95 a phone call was made from a public telephone box along Fulbourne Road, Walthamstow.

The male caller was requesting assistance from the London Fire Brigade, having seen smoke coming from Joy's flat. Police made numerous appeals to trace this caller, previously releasing his 999 call in an effort to locate him. He is still being sought as part of the investigation as he could hold vital clues.

Whilst on the phone the caller can be heard asking someone what road they were standing in to assist the emergency call handler. He was actually speaking to someone, not known if male or female, who was standing in a queue for a bus. The bus stop would have served buses heading to Walthamstow Central (212) and to Leytonstone Station (W16). This person is yet to be located.

In addition to these two people police are also releasing a digitally enhanced CCTV still of a man they would like to trace. He was captured as he entered the front of St David's Court at around 22:30.

He is white, aged between 30 to 40 years, although will now be aged between 50 and 60 years, with short hair. He was wearing a light-coloured jacket.

Although the images appear grainy, officers believe that those close to the man would still be able to recognise him.

Detective Inspector Susan Stansfield, of the Met's Special Casework Investigation Team, who is leading the investigation, said: "Joy Hewer was a kind-hearted Christian woman who was devoted to her beliefs and to her family.

"Originally raised in Hoe Street with her younger brother Steven, and younger sister Penny, she regularly attended several churches in the Walthamstow and Notting Hill areas.

"She had worked for many years as a dedicated local primary school teacher before retiring in 1990.

"Unmarried, she continued to stay close to her family and friends and worked for various charities.

"As a result of our investigations we are sure Joy would have been cautious about letting someone enter her flat late at night. There were no signs of a forced entry and it may be that she knew the person her entered her flat that night. Our forensic teams also found two used coffee cups within the address.

"After two decades we realise a lot of time has passed and someone who may have not been able to speak in 1995 may feel they can come forward now, 20 years on.

"Joy's parents have sadly passed away but her brother, sister and nieces and nephews still very much hope to see someone brought to justice.

"We hope that this latest appeal will see someone with the final piece to the jigsaw to speak out.

"Anyone with any information is asked to contact our Incident Room on 020 7230 7963; alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoopers on 0800 555 111."

(MH/CD)