Trans community urged to help Kellie murder investigation
Metropolitan police detectives investigating the death of Kellie Telesford are now treating it as murder.
40-year-old Kellie’s body was found at her Thornton Heath flat last Wednesday after police responded to calls from friends and forced entry into the apartment.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as strangulation.
DCI Cliff Lyons, from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, has asked anyone who knew Kellie or has information relevant to the murder investigation to contact the police.
“The enquiry team has been working closely with members of the trans community,” he told PinkNews.co.uk
“We have taken advice from the LGBT Advisory Group, have a trans police officer on our ‘Gold Group’ and have taken on an LGBT Liaison Officer to assist our team.
“We have also worked closely with GALOP to make it easier for members of the community to make third party reports.
“We would encourage anybody who knew Kellie or has information that could help the enquiry to contact us, either via the incident room, through the LGBT Liaison Officer or by making a third party report through GALOP.”
LGBT Liaison Officer PC Russell Pritchard is assisting with investigation.
He urged members of the trans community with any information to contact him on 0207 232 6159 or 07722 026 422.
Police are following several lines of enquiry, but are continuing to appeal to members of the public who had contact with Kellie between the 15th and 21st November to come forward.
“We would also like to speak to anyone who knew or who has had a relationship with Kellie to help us build a picture of her lifestyle,” said DCI Lyons.
“We know she went to venues popular with the LGBT communities, in particular in the Croydon and Brixton area.
“There are several lines of enquiry that we are following, but help from the community is still paramount.
“I would also like to reassure all the communities affected by Kellie’s murder that our dedicated team of detectives are committed to finding the person responsible.
“The LGBT liaison officers are acting as line of communication to and from the investigation team, ensuring any fears can be addressed.
“It should be stressed though that we have not seen any further incidents similar to Kellie’s murder.
“Information will be treated sensitively and in the strictest confidence.”
The incident room can be contacted on 020 8721 4205, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
LGBT Liaison Officer PC Russell Pritchard can be contacted on 0207 232 6159 or 07722 026 422.
