Police hunting the killers of a Lithuanian woman twelve years ago have made a fresh appeal for witnesses after a DNA breakthrough in the case.
Kaunas-born Nijole Siskeviciene, 44, (pictured) of Lancelot Road, Wembley, North West London was found dead near garage 200 yards from her home on October 20, 1998.
She had been strangled.
Mysterious letters from two different authors informed police two unknown black suspects carried the mother-of-one from an address in Lancelot Road to a car.
Superintendent Keith Niven of the Metropolitan Police’s Homicide and Serious Crime Command said: “I think it is fair to say Nijole came to England hoping to build a successful future for herself and her son.
“Unfortunately this was not be and she died a lonely and depressed person who had suffered fatal injuries and her body abandoned 200 yards from her home.
“Nijole’s son is a lone voice and seeks justice for his mother who was clearly a defenceless and vulnerable person. I am committed to identifying who is responsible for Nijole’s death and ensuring that the perpetrator is placed before the courts.”
Divorced Nijole moved to London on May 3, 1997 without her only son, earning a meagre living in the low-paid job of hotel chambermaid, becoming isolated and depressed with few friends or prospects.
“Following a re-investigation into the murder there has now been a significant development,” added Superintendent Niven.
“Thanks to the advancement in scientific procedures we now have a DNA profile of a possible suspect.
“At this moment in time we do not know the identity of this person, but all we need is a name and we will be able confirm who this profile belongs to.
“If you know or suspect who this may be please come forward.”
She only moved into the Lancelot Road address a week before her death and on October 18 returned to her former home in Charteris Road, Kilburn to collect the last of her belongings.
She was seen alive at 8.00am on October 20 the Lancelot Road address - 10 hours later she was dead.
Nijole was found wearing jeans, a pale blue round-necked jumper, a distinctive multi-coloured three quarter length cardigan and open-toed shoes.
Her black leather handbag and her wristwatch have never been found.
Just days after the murder, two anonymous letters were sent to Wembley police station.
They appeared to have been written by different people and both described the body being moved following the murder.
The letters were posted locally and it was stressed by the authors they were afraid to speak to the police.
In the first letter, the author described seeing a woman being carried out of a house in Lancelot Road between 1.15pm and 2.30pm by two black men and put into a car.
The letter ended: “I am not much help, am I, I am to old, I am afraid to go outside my door.”
The second letter describes seeing two men lifting a woman wearing blue jeans and a blue jumper.
The writer said: “Sorry, I do not want my family in this sort of thing.”
“We are still appealing for the authors of the two letters to contact us,” explained Superintendent Niven.
“I know that originally they did not want to speak to police, but the passage of time may now mean that people feel able to come forward, it is important that they know the information they may have is still valuable to us and we would like to speak to them.
“I would like to reassure anyone in possession of information relating to Nijole's death that any concerns they may have about contacting police can be addressed and measures put in place to resolve any issues.
“Anything said can be treated in the strictest of confidence. Their evidence could be absolutely vital.
“Your assistance may enable us to finally secure justice for Nijole and her family.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the Incident Room on 0208 733 4613 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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