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Detectives from the Northern Region Unsolved Homicide Team are continuing to investigate the murder of Margaret Howlett at Singleton in 1994 and are renewing their appeal for public assistance.

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Howlett, an 84-year-old grandmother, was found deceased within her home at Dunolly Road, Dunolly – a suburb of Singleton – on the evening of 2 April 1994. Mrs Howlett died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Due to advancements in forensic analysis, further examination of items seized at the house has provided detectives with an as-yet unidentified DNA profile.

Detective Sergeant Stephen Davis from the Unsolved Homicide Team said investigators were now conducting further inquiries into the brutal murder of Mrs Howlett.

“The callous manner and cause of death of such a frail and elderly victim raised serious concerns in this large rural community and is still spoken of today,” Det Sgt Davis said.

“Mrs Howlett’s attacker attempted to destroy evidence of the crime by setting a fire within the house. This may also indicate an interest in lighting fires or the use of fire in other offending behaviour.

“We will be contacting a number of key witnesses identified in the original investigation and reviewing their original statements and we hope that one of these witnesses may hold vital evidence.

“We are also hopeful that the unidentified DNA profile will assist us in the identification of an offender and bring resolution to this matter, giving closure to the family.”

A reward of up to $100,000 remains in place for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Mrs Howlett’s murder.

Anyone with information that could assist with the identification, arrest and conviction of an offender should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.

Information you provide will be treated in the strictest of confidence. We remind people they should not report crime information via our Facebook and Twitter pages.

October 2012