Jenny Methven murder: Police reach ‘critical stage’ of investigation

POLICE have cancelled a planned television appeal featuring the murder of an 80-year-old woman in her own home as they have reached a “critical stage” in their investigation.

The body of Jenny Methven was discovered by her son at about 5:15pm on 20 February at the Kildinny Farm cottage they shared in Forteviot, Perthshire.

Tayside Police said Mrs Methven was attacked in the kitchen, and had suffered injuries to her head and body.

Officers were due to make an appearance on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme last night to appeal for new information after a reconstruction.

The programme, however, has now been cancelled.

Detectives were last night granted warrants to carry out a number of searches, including a specific house and a vehicle. An officer sought permission from a sheriff at Perth Sheriff Court to exercise the search warrants in relation to the property of a named individual.

The programme’s production team had staged a reconstruction of events surrounding the murder, but it will no longer be shown in order to “avoid any potential prejudice of future proceedings”.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Gall said last night: “I can confirm that there have been further developments this week and our inquiry has now reached a critical stage.

“As a consequence of this, we will not be in a position to make an appeal on Crimewatch tonight as had been planned. We are hugely appreciative of the assistance given to us by everyone involved with the programme.

“They fully understand that we have had to take this decision so as to avoid any potential prejudice of future proceedings.

“We are in close liaison with Jenny’s family and ensuring they are aware of any further developments in the case.”