Jogger murder: new clue

Two men are being hunted by police today after a dramatic breakthrough in the search for the killers of jogger Margaret Muller.

The men were spotted sprinting from Victoria Park in Hackney moments after the American artist was brutally stabbed to death.

A witness, who was on his way to work, told detectives the men ran from the rose garden area of the park, where the 27-year-old artist was attacked at about 8am on Monday, towards Cawley Gate.

They then stopped in Iveagh Close and appeared to check each other's clothing before quickly walking on. Both men are described as being of Middle Eastern appearance.

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Shatford said it was vital to trace the running men who appeared to "check their pace in a way that seemed suspiciousî. One of the suspects also put his head down as if he did not want to be seen.

The first man was 6ft tall with short black hair cropped forward wearing blue jeans and training shoes. The second man was shorter than the first with black, short, scruffy hair, and was wearing blue jeans, scruffy white trainers and a parka jacket. He had a hooked nose.

"We regard these two young men as being highly significant and tracing them is a very active line of inquiry at the moment,î said Mr Shatford.

He said it was highly significant that Miss Muller had been stabbed in the only location in the entire park where she could not have been easily seen by other early morning walkers or joggers.

Mr Shatford said police now had a much better picture of the kind of person Miss Muller was. "She comes across as a very decent young lady,î he said. "She was not the type who would easily befriend strangers. She was very careful who she talked to.

"This is clearly a case where we need all the help we can get from members of the public. There is no obvious motive and we want to hear of anyone whose character or actions may have changed since this lady was killed.î

It emerged today that Miss Muller was not a regular jogger in the park making it unlikely an acquaintance or stalker was laying in wait for her.

The witness who spotted the two men is now working with police experts to complete photo and video fits. He did not notice any blood on their clothing but police do not find this surprising as Miss Muller was wearing four or five layers of clothing herself and it is thought unlikely they would have been heavily bloodstained.

Today, detectives returned to the scene in Victoria Park where Miss Muller was stabbed to death. A young cyclist who spoke to park-keepers at the scene of the murder but then disappeared has provided an innocent explanation for his actions.