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DEALER MURDER MYSTERY

Cops trawl lake for clues into murder of antiques dealer Robyn Mercer who was bludgeoned to death on her front lawn

Search comes as police pledge to 'relentlessly pursue' murderers of mum-of-two who died from multiple blows to the head

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of an antiques dealer whose body was found on her front lawn have sent diving teams in to search a lake.

Robyn Mercer, 50, was found dead in West Molesey, Surrey, on March 14. No-one has been charged with the killing.

 Tragic Robyn Mercer, 50, was found bludgeoned to death on her front lawn
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Tragic Robyn Mercer, 50, was found bludgeoned to death on her front lawn
 Specialist officers trawl Surrey lake in hunt for clues over the murder of Robyn Mercer
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Specialist officers trawl Surrey lake in hunt for clues over the murder of Robyn MercerCredit: INS News

On Tuesday specialist teams began searching Littleheath Pond in Oxshott, as police pledged to "relentlessly" pursue the mother-of-two's murderers.

A post-mortem examination found that the keen rower died from multiple blows to the head.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz said: "Today's search is being carried out to establish if there is any new evidence which could help to identify those who committed the brutal attack on Robyn.

"We will continue to pursue all potential leads and will relentlessly carry on until the offender/s are behind bars."

The move comes after Surrey Police took part in a Crimewatch appeal for further information.

Speaking on the show Rymarz said: “At about 9pm on Sunday March 13, we believe Robyn had gone outside to put something in the bins outside the front of her house having had a family meal.

“Her body was discovered the following morning at about 8am at the end of the driveway by the back gate and the post mortem revealed that she had been hit once on the front of the head and struck several times whilst on the floor.

“We believe the weapon was some sort of axe or machete.”

Robyn was originally from South Africa and Rymarz described her as “very well liked”.

 Cops have spent today trawling Littleheath Pond in Oxshott Surrey, near to the home of Robyn Mercer
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Cops have spent today trawling Littleheath Pond in Oxshott Surrey, near to the home of Robyn MercerCredit: INS News
 Surrey cops have cowed to 'relentlessly' pursue the mother-of-two's murderers
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Surrey cops have cowed to 'relentlessly' pursue the mother-of-two's murderersCredit: INS News

The mum-of-two, a silver specialist, worked at family firm JH Bourdon-Smith in Mayfair, west London.

He added: “[She] had a good social life and was very well respected within the antiques world in London.

“She’d worked for the same family firm for the last 25 years and become close friends with the owners.”

Edward Bourdon-Smith, owner of the firm she worked, said: “She’s got two lovely children who’ve lost a mother, and lots of lovely friends who have lost her. She was very important to us all and we’ve been very upset.

“It will be a very good thing if whoever is responsible is caught for the closure of the family, and for ourselves actually.”

 A female officer takes part in the search cops hope may yield vital new clues
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A female officer takes part in the search cops hope may yield vital new cluesCredit: PA:Press Association
 Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz said: 'We will continue to pursue all potential leads'
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Detective Chief Inspector Paul Rymarz said: 'We will continue to pursue all potential leads'Credit: PA:Press Association

At the time of her death her family released a statement which said: “We are all utterly devastated to have lost Robyn. She was a wonderful person, loving mother and devoted friend .

“Thank you to all our friends and family for their love and support.

“We would appreciate privacy at this difficult time.”

Currently five people are on bail in connection with the investigation.

 Tragic Robyn Mercer died from multiple blows to the head in attack on March 14
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Tragic Robyn Mercer died from multiple blows to the head in attack on March 14
 Cops rope off the area near the family home following the killing earlier this year
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Cops rope off the area near the family home following the killing earlier this yearCredit: INS News Agency Ltd

Two men, both aged 26 and from West Molesey, were held on suspicion of conspiracy to burgle and murder and are due to answer bail on December 16. One is also suspected of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Two women, aged 20 and 45 and from Oxshott, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and have been bailed until December 16.

A 53-year-old man, from West Molesey, was held on suspicion of fraud by false representation and is due to answer bail on November 21.


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