THE INQUIRY into the murder of Thornwood businesswoman and mother-of-two Julie Foster remains open a year after she was battered to death with a cricket bat, police have said.

But a police spokesman said the investigation was effectively at a standstill.

The body of Mrs Foster, 41, was discovered in her bedroom at her home at Gilbey Cottages, Stansted Road, Elsenham, by her younger son, Jay.

A police spokesman said investigating officers had no new lines of enquiry to follow but would rigorously chase up any new leads that arose.

He said: "Following the trial earlier this year at Chelmsford Crown Court, the investigation into Julie's death remains open although we are not pro-actively making enquiries as we have no further avenues to go down.

"However, should anything come to light we will investigate it with all our available resources."

Mrs Foster, who ran Blake Hall Pets in High Road, Thornwood, for 15 years, was battered to death while she slept on July 10 last year.

Her ex-boyfriend, former professional footballer Kim Wassell, 45, a freight handler at Stansted Airport, was cleared of her murder in May after a two-week trial in which the jury deliberated its verdict for five hours.

Mr Wassell had told detectives: "I can't think of any reason why anyone would want to kill her. I was very much in love with Julie. The break-up affected me very deeply. I always felt we would get back together again."

Speaking at the end of the case, Mrs Foster's ex-husband, Eric, said his sons, Jay and Scott, would "grow up without her love and support". He added: "Julie has been robbed of the chance of watching them grow, and of their love and laughter."

July 18, 2002 08:30