Shower killer may have tricked his way into office

Last updated at 16:06 17 January 2007


A young accountant found murdered in her office shower may have been the victim of a thief who tricked his way into her office, it has been revealed.

New Zealander Cathy Marlow, 28, was discovered after she dropped into the building in Kennington to catch up on some paperwork.

Police have appealed for information about her distinctive brown leather handbag, which is believed to have been stolen by the killer.

Now detectives believe the killer could have been a stranger who conned his way into the building either by ringing the intercom or while Miss Marlow took a break on the doorstep.

A 28-year-old colleague of the victim arrested and questioned by police for three days was recently released without charge.

An inquest into the accountant's death has now been opened. It heard she had been strangled before being found dead at the offices of Research Now, an online marketing company, on Saturday night.

No evidence of a break-in has been found and one police source said today: "One possibility is the attacker entered the building after buzzing the intercom or by forcing somebody who was having a cigarette or a break outside to open the door for them.

"There is no obvious motive. Cathy is not known to have told anyone she feared she may have been in danger, so we believe the assailant may not have been known to her."

The bag is described as 10in tall by 10in wide with a flap with a dome clasp. Anyone with information should call 0208 721 4805.

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