Bosham Murder: Reward Doubled To £20,000

30 September 2014, 13:10 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

A reward of up to £20,000 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the murder of Valerie Graves in Bosham near Chichester.

Valerie, 55, was found dead on 30 December 2013 whilst house-sitting at a friend's house in Smuggler's Lane. It is believed that she was attacked in her bed during the night by an intruder using a hammer. She died as a result of severe head injuries.
 
Valerie was an artist who was well-liked. She had two grown-up children and two grandchildren, and had recently moved back to Sussex from Scotland to help care for her elderly mother in Bracklesham Bay.
 
On the 9 month anniversary of her death, Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £10,000 with a further £10,000 offered by Sussex Police, for information that is passed to the charity's anonymous 0800 555 111 number leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. 

A dedicated website has already been set up, valeriegravesmurder.com.
 
Angela Hollinshead, Crimestoppers' Area Manager for Sussex, said:

"Valerie's murder was extremely brutal and her family has been devastated by her death. It is hoped that, by increasing the reward, this may assist in convincing someone to come forward and provide us with the critical information that may solve this crime.
 
"I urge anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers immediately without the fear of their identity being revealed. No-one who provides information to Crimestoppers need ever be concerned about giving statements to police or having to go to court."
 
Detective Superintendent Nick May from the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said:

"We are appealing to anyone who has any information or knows the person who has done this. You may have your own concerns or suspicions about this person already but for your own reasons have not yet come forward. Let me reassure you that we can support you whatever your concerns but this person must be caught."
 
If you have any information on Valerie's murder then please contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
 
The full reward will only be payable for information passed to Crimestoppers' 0800 555 111 number. Information passed to police will not qualify.