THE driver of a silver coloured car could hold vital clues to the brutal murder of pensioner Agnes Hanrahan, detectives have revealed.
Mystery surrounds the bludgeoning of Mrs Hanrahan but officers are keen to speak to the driver of a Ford Focus car with an 02 registration plate which was seen by neighbours in Baguley Avenue at about 9.30pm on the day of the murder.
And detectives are investigating possible links between the murder of Mrs Hanrahan and the killing of Wirral pensioner Ruth Owens.
Seventy-five-year-old Mrs Owens was found in a pool of blood at her Spital home after suffering severe head injuries in a frenzied attack.
Since the discovery of 71-year-old Mrs Hanrahan's body at 12.30pm on Tuesday, December 9, police officers and forensic experts have descended on her home.
Gardens have been checked for evidence along with wheelie bins and the immediate crime scene has remained cordoned off and tents set up by forensic officers to preserve evidence.
Detective Chief Inspector John Chapman said he was 'open to possibilities' that the incident could be connected to the Wirral murder.
They are also exploring possibilities that Mrs Hanrahan knew her killer.
Mr Chapman said 'The fact that it involved an old age pensioner living alone suggests there may be a link, but Merseyside police are still at an early stage with their enquiry. It is important that we review the case on a daily basis to see if there is a connection.
'Agnes lived alone and does have family who lived locally. We know that many people knew Agnes and no doubt will be shocked to hear of her murder. Agnes's family are understandably shocked and distressed and are being assisted by trained family liaison officers.
'We have not yet established a motive for Agnes's death and we are aware of a number of possibilities that could account for this serious and sustained attack on Agnes.'
