Detectives investigating the murder of a 57-year-old Laindon woman have issued an appeal for help in tracing two men seen minutes before she was found dead.

Anita Gordon, of Rowenhall, was discovered at around 2.30am by her husband, Roger, last Friday. She had been repeatedly hit around the head with a blunt instrument.

Investigators say the men were seen in the Rowenhall area about 40 minutes before her body was found. Both men were white and aged around 25.

Anyone with information is asked to call the murder incident room at Brentwood on 01277 262220 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111

Published Thursday, March 21, 2002