Murder detectives have issued a CCTV image showing Amelie Delagrange boarding a 267 bus, to further their appeal for information following the discovery of her body on Twickenham Green.

Amelie died after an attack that shows similarities to the one which resulted in the death of Hampton student Marsha McDonnell in February 2003 and to other attacks on young women in the Twickenham/Hampton area.

Amelie boarded the bus outside the old Post Office, now a Wetherspoons pub, in London Road at 21.39 on Thursday 19 August.

Officers were flagged down by a member of the public in Twickenham at 10.26pm. They found a woman lying on Twickenham Green near the cricket pitch and she was formally identified as 22-year-old Amelie Delagrange, a French national residing and working in Twickenham. She had a serious head injuries. She was taken by ambulance to the West Middlesex hospital, where she was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.

When she was found she was wearing a white cardigan, smart red blouse and white trousers, and white trainers with pink flashes. It is believed the she had been on a night out in Twickenham, at Crystals Winebar, London Road, junction with Holly Road, with a female friend, sometime that evening.

At 21:39 Amelie boarded a 267 bus [travelling towards Twickenham Green and Fulwell Bus Garage] outside the Old Post House Sorting House (now a Weatherspoon pub) on London Rd - opposite the police station in Twickenham.

She missed her stop and got off at 21:45 at Fulwell Bus Garage, on Fulwell Rd, at the junction with Hampton Rd. Any passengers from that 267 bus - and anyone who saw Amelie after she left the bus garage - are asked to come forward. It appears likely that she walked back to Twickenham Green because police now have a sighting of her at 21:51 walking past a fish restaurant in Hampton Rd called the 'Loch Fyne'. She was walking on the same side of the road as the restaurant.

Police would like to hear from anyone who saw a woman matching Amelie's description to come forward. They are trying to reconstruct her movements and continue to appeal for anyone who may have seen her to call them.

Detectives have been unable to trace Amelie's Sony Ericsson T300 mobile phone. It had a black face plate and it is known that she had it with her at 20.30 the evening of August 19. They have also been unable to find her handbag - it is light brown/mustard colour with dark brown leather trim and handles and two buckle-type fastenings on the front.

Detectives are also further appealing to passengers on the 267 bus travelling towards Twickenham Green and Fulwell Bus Garage. Emilie boarded this bus at 21.39 outside the Old Post House Sorting House which is now a Weatherspoon pub on London Road, opposite the police station in Twickenham.

She missed her stop and got off at Fulwell Bus Garage on Fulwell Road at the junction with Hampton Road at 21.53. There is then some uncertainty if she got a bus back to Twickenham Green or whether she walked to the Green. Amelie would have been heading towards the Green as her home address was in nearby Gould Road.

Anybody who was on the 267 and importantly anyone who saw Amelie after she left the bus garage or anyone who knows where the phone or the handbag is asked to contact police on the numbers given below.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Murphy, Head of the Serious Crime Directorate West said: "We are conducting an investigation into the murder of a 22 year old woman on Twickenham Green on the night of August 19. The possibility that the murder may be linked to other incidents in Twickenham has neither been ruled in nor out at this stage, and the investigation is being looked into carefully. Our focus remains on this murder, and we appeal to anyone who thinks they may have seen the woman in the vicinity of Twickenham Green, or seen or heard anything suspicious, to call police."

Anyone with any information is asked to call the incident room at the Serious Crime Directorate West on 020 8247 7911 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have issued safety advice to women:

• If walking alone use well lit busy places, be aware of your surroundings
• If approached by a male keep your distance, be confident, stay in the open
• If you are approached and feel uneasy do not converse. Shout 'No!, Fire!, Police! Leave me alone! Run, move away
• Move towards other people do not hesitate to ask for help

See also the
appeals from the family
An earlier victim speaks out

See our Feb 2003 news article on the Marsha McDonell case

See also other articles:
Police fear serial attacker on the loose in Twickenham
Serial murder scare

Monday, August 23, 2004

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