Detectives in the UK investigating the murder of Joanna Yeates have retraced the steps she took three weeks after she was last seen alive in an attempt to catch her killer.
Plain clothes and uniformed officers launched a high-profile operation in Bristol last night in an attempt to speak to anyone who may have seen the route the 25-year-old took on the evening of 17 December.
They spoke to customers in the pub where Ms Yeates went for a Christmas drink, talked to people in the streets close to her home and stopped cars where her body was found.
Ms Yeates's body was found on Christmas Day. She had been strangled.
It is not known exactly when her body was left in a country lane 5kms from her home and police would only say she had been there for 'several days'.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who is leading the murder investigation, said: 'We are hoping this high-profile activity will jog people's memories and may prompt more members of the public to contact us.
'We continue to work tirelessly to catch and bring to justice whoever killed Jo and thank the public for the overwhelming response we have already received.'
Police have said there was no evidence Ms Yeates had been sexually assaulted but they have not ruled out a sexual motive.
Officers are investigating whether she could have been strangled with her own ski sock, which her killer might then have kept as a trophy.
The landscape architect's body was found with one of her grey, knee-length socks missing, and detectives believe the garment may hold the key to solving her murder.
She was not wearing her coat or boots either, but those items were recovered from her flat.
Mr Jones also confirmed that the killer or killers may have tried to put Ms Yeates's body over a wall into a neighbouring quarry but instead left her on the grass verge.
Police have also searched around 40 drains in the streets surrounding Ms Yeates's home and also moved a car blocking a drain to examine that as well.
Appeal from victim's family
The family of Ms Yeates also issued an appeal for anyone with information to contact detectives and help catch her killer.
In a statement issued by Avon and Somerset Police, they said: 'We maintain regular contact with the police, and continue to give them our support and assistance in any way we can.
'We would like to reiterate the request for any information which could relate to Jo's death, however small or insignificant it might appear.
'That single piece could just enable the police to understand what happened, and identify the killer.
'We are optimistic that the increased reward will concentrate people's minds on where they were on that Friday night, and what they saw which might be relevant.
'It is now three weeks since Jo disappeared and our lives were changed for ever. The days have merged into a single period of time.
'We have still not come to terms with the fact that Jo will never walk through the door and say 'Hi Mum' or 'Hi Dad'.'
