Police want to speak to ‘hooded man’ after mum found stabbed to death at home
Police have released CCTV footage of a man they urgently want to speak to in connection with the murder of a mum-of-three.
Clair Ablewhite, 47, was found dead at her village home in Colston Bassett, Nottinghamshire, just before 6.30pm on Saturday.
Following a post-mortem, it was confirmed that she had suffered stab wounds.
Detectives are urging people to help identify the hooded man in the CCTV so he can be eliminated from their enquiries. The video can be viewed here.
Police said there were no signs of a break-in before Ms Ablewhite was murdered at her home in Hall Lane on 25 February.
The man is seen on camera on foot in Hall Lane at around 9.30pm on Friday, shortly before the murder.
He was wearing a hooded jacket with the hood up, trainers, and a rucksack on his back.
He has a light-footed walk and has his right hand to his mouth in the clip.
Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin, of Nottinghamshire Police, urged people to watch the footage carefully and share it with as many people as possible on social media to help officers identify him.
"I want you to look at this footage over and over and keep playing it back," he said.
"You can see images of his face, his size and build and clothing. He is carrying a distinctive bag on his back and you also get a really good view of his footwear.
"I am sure somebody will know who this is.
"We want to speak to this man urgently as he may hold vital information so I would ask him to come forward, or if anyone recognises him or thinks they know who he might be, I’d ask that they contact the incident room straight away."
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ACC Griffin said he believed the murderer may have been known to Clair.
He added: "We are keeping an open mind about the circumstances around Clair's murder. However, there are some features within it that make me think that this is a local person.
"There are no signs of forced entry and no obvious signs of a burglary. It could be that the person was known to Clair."
The footage also shows a vehicle passing by the man in Hall Lane.
Further CCTV held by the investigation team shows another vehicle driving past at around this time.
ACC Griffin urged these motorists or anyone else in the area who may have seen something or have dash-cam footage to come forward.
Reassurance patrols have been stepped up in the area and officers are due to conduct house-to-house enquiries in the village and will be asking people to view the video.
A man, 48, was arrested on suspicion of murder but has been released under investigation.
