Police have revealed a significant new development in the investigation into the murder of Forteviot woman Jenny Methven.
Officers say Mrs Methven failed to turn up for an afternoon GP appointment on the day she was found dead at home by her son.
The 80-year-old was due to attend at the Bridge of Earn Medical Centre at 2.45pm on Monday, and would have taken the 2.35pm bus. But police have now established that she didn’t make the appointment and was not on the bus.
Mrs Methven was found dead by her son at about 5.15pm on Monday. She had suffered injuries to her head and body.
The enquiry team have learned that she was last spoken with at about 10.30am when she had a conversation over the phone with a friend. In addition, the local postman didn’t see Mrs Methven when he was on his round at about 1.30pm, something he considered to be out of the ordinary.
Detective Chief Inspector Colin Gall, who is heading the investigation, said the timeframe in which the crime could have been committed is reducing with every valuable piece of information that comes in. He praised the public for their support so far.
“The witnesses that we have spoken with to date have been able to provide us with valuable information. Equally, there has been an excellent response to our appeal for private CCTV, which is allowing us to progress the investigation. We have officers who are dedicated to recovering every scrap of relevant footage from the coverage we have been provided with.
“That said, we still want people to contact us if they have CCTV systems whether at home, or at their business. Don’t presume there will be nothing of interest on the film. Contact us, let us come to you and we can decide.”
CCTV examination has led to Tayside Police appealing for people and the occupants of vehicles who have been sighted in the local area on the day in question.
Among the people officers want to come forward are:
Passengers on the Number 17 Stagecoach bus who will have travelled between Dunning and Perth at around 10.30am on Monday. They will have passed by Mrs Methven’s cottage at Kildinny Farm. A man seen walking a brown dog on the road out of Forteviot, heading towards the level crossing at about 10.30am Monday. A yellow agricultural forklift vehicle driver seen travelling eastwards on the road from Forteviot towards Forgandenny. It passed by Mrs Methven’s cottage at about 10.30am on Monday.
DCI Gall said: “These people are all potential witnesses, who were in the area at a significant time. They shouldn’t just presume that they have nothing of interest to tell us. I would ask them to let us decide whether what they saw is of value to our investigation. The slightest detail, no matter how insignificant, could help us to establish the circumstances of Jenny’s death.”
Officers have visited approximately 350 houses and commercial premises in the Strathearn valley appealing for information and private CCTV. They say they are keen to speak to anyone who was in Forteviot and the surrounding area as they could have valuable information. That includes residents, people who work in the area and people who passed through, for example delivery workers or bus drivers.
Jenny was very well-known in the local community and was often seen in a fluorescent yellow jacket while walking her two-year-old spaniel.
Anyone with information is asked to call 0300 111 2222, or speak to their local officer. Alternatively information can be passed anonymously via the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.