20k reward for information after woman is murdered after letting killer into her home

Police have offered a £20,000 reward after being left scratching their heads over why someone would want to kill a woman after she had let them into her home.

Zoe Orton was strangled to death in her flat in McMillan Street, Deptford in October – and there was no sign of forced entry or any struggle.

And now a reward of up to £20,000 is now available to anyone able to provide details which lead to the arrest and prosecution of the person or people responsible for the murder of the 46-year-old.

Zoe’s body was discovered in her flat on Monday, October 21 last year after officers were called to the scene following concerns for her welfare.

She was found in the living room with a single injury to her neck. There were no signs of a disturbance or entry having been forced to the property.

A post mortem held at Greenwich Mortuary on October 23 gave cause of death as compression to the neck.

Officers from Specialist Crime South believe that Zoe was murdered on or around October 4. Despite numerous detailed enquiries, no arrest has been made.

Detectives have been focussed on trying to piece together Zoe’s movements before her death, and are releasing what they believe to be the final image of her captured on CCTV.

In it Zoe is seen leaving Woolwich DLR station at around 4am on Tuesday, October 1. She was last seen alive two days later, but based on her phone records officers believe she was still alive on October 4 and in Woolwich Town Centre during the early hours.

Zoe was known to frequent Deptford and Woolwich, where she would often associate with local drinkers.

A statement from the Met said: “Officers are keeping an open mind on any motive, but have ruled out robbery, given no items are believed to have been stolen from Zoe’s flat.”

Detective Inspector Steve Keogh, from Specialist Crime South, said: “This a terribly tragic case, with the victim killed in her own home for reasons we have as yet been unable to establish.

“Zoe led a chaotic lifestyle, and although she lived alone, she often had individuals coming in and out of the property.

“We need to find the person who has done this and hold them to account, and I hope the added incentive of a significant reward will encourage anyone with information which could assist to come forward.

“Any details provided will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

“I would specifically like to appeal to not only anyone who knows anything about the murder, but would also like to speak with people who knew Zoe, who can assist us with piecing together her movements in the days leading up to her murder.

“Did you see Zoe in the Woolwich area at any point in the days preceding her murder – from October 1-4? We are also issuing a new image of Zoe, taken in July 2018, in the hope it could assist with our appeals.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact incident room on 020 8721 4961.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or by clicking here.

Pictured top: McMilan Street, Deptford (Picture: Google Street View)