THE daughter of a retired traffic warden who was battered to death in her own home has made an emotional appeal for information which could lead to the killer's capture.

THE daughter of a retired traffic warden who was battered to death in her own home has made an emotional appeal for information which could lead to the killer's capture.

Jean Dicker, 58, was discovered lying in a pool of blood in her hallway by her son shortly before 11.30pm on January 29.

More than a month on and despite an extensive police enquiry, the killer remains on the loose and the murder weapon – thought to be a blunt instrument - has yet to be found.

At a press conference yesterday, Mrs Dicker's daughter, Tracy Kinton, 37, described the living hell her family had been through since the brutal killing in Craigfield Avenue, Clacton.

The housing officer from Colchester said: "It is difficult to sleep at night and when you do go to sleep you wake up again thinking about it.

"It is constantly on my mind - I just keep asking why someone could do such a terrible thing.

"My mother was happy, friendly and family orientated and enjoyed her social life.

"It has been one month since my family asked for your help – It was my mum's and my birthday on Saturday - she would have been 59.

"People are not invisible and someone must have seen or heard something, we appeal to you to come forward."

Detective Superintendent Gareth Wilson, who is leading the investigation, said just one small piece of information could lead to Jean's killer.

He said a number of motives were being considered, included the possibility that the murder was the result of an interrupted burglary.

However, he acknowledged the house was secure on the night and there was no sign of a forced entry.

"It is possible that she knew her attacker or indeed opened the door to a person," he said.

Yesterday, he appealed for items missing from the house, including Mrs Dicker's mobile phone, handbag and purse.

The phone is an old Phillips model and was in a case.

Det Supt Wilson said he could not disclose whether the mobile phone had been used since the murder.

The missing handbag is an off-white colour, with material on the pockets. It has one zip-up pocket on the side, is about eight to 10 inches long, eight inches tall and four inches wide. It has a shoulder strap of the same colour and has an external compartment with poppers on.

There was a purse in the handbag, which was possibly brown or black and had a metal clip on the top.

It contained a Halifax card, a Sainsbury's bankcard, a Royal Bank of Scotland card and an MBMA card.

Since the murder Essex Police officers have spoken to 1,000 people, taken 198 statements and officers have carried out 509 "actions".

Chief Supt Wilson said: "One month on, it is very important that we do catch Jean's killer – we have spoken to a number of people who knew her through her family, personal and social life.

"However if there is anybody else out there who has not been spoken to yet, who knew Jean, then please contact us as we are keen to speak to you to build that bigger picture of who she was so we can help identify who the person responsible for this horrible offence was.

"We are still looking for that one piece of information that will lead to Jean's killer and it may be a very small piece of information that will lead to it."

Anyone with any information about Jean's life or the attack is asked to contact Stanway major investigation team on 01206 762122.