APPEAL | Appeal for information six months on from death of woman in Luton

Detectives investigating the death of 46-year-old Beata Szauer at her Luton home have issued a fresh appeal for information six months after she was last seen alive.

Beata, a Polish mother of two, was found dead at her home in Brook Street on Wednesday 7 January. A forensic post-mortem examination revealed her death was likely to have been as a result of a stab wound. The last known CCTV of Beata shows her alive on Sunday 21 December, and investigators believe she may have died soon after this sighting.

Detective Chief Inspector Sam Khanna, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “Based on the enquiries we have carried out so far into her death, we believe it is likely Beata - who we would describe as a vulnerable person - died two weeks prior to being discovered by a landlord who had not heard from her. 

“There are people out there who knew and socialised with Beata, that we have not been able to identify and would be keen to hear from. Sadly, although we know Beata to have two adult children and that she occasionally worked as a remote hairdresser, we actually know very little about her. We are appealing for any of Beata’s friends or associates to come forward as they may help us build the missing pieces of the puzzle to understand how she came to harm.

“Do you recognise Beata as someone you would speak to in and around the town centre? We know she frequented the Polski Smak and Sainsbury’s stores in Crawley Road. Were you ever a hair client of Beata’s, or had you seen her in the weeks before she was discovered dead? If so, please come forward. Any information, however small, may help.

“We owe it to Beata and her family to find answers, and to apprehend anyone involved in her death.”

Two men aged in their 50s remain on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of Beata’s murder.

Anyone who knew Beata, or has any information about the investigation, is urged to contact police via the web chat service on www.beds.police.uk, or by calling 101, quoting the reference Operation Elyen.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or Giving information anonymously | Crimestoppers.