Police call for public help as they investigate death of May Ritchie

POLICE investigating the alleged murder of May Ritchie in her Freshwater unit on Sunday night are appealing for any members of the public who were in the area that night to call them.

POLICE investigating the alleged murder of May Ritchie in her Freshwater unit on Sunday night are appealing for any members of the public who were in the area that night to call them.

Although a woman has been charged with murdering Mrs Ritchie, detectives investigating her death still want to speak to anyone who was in the area in case they have any information, no matter how trivial it might seem, that will assist their investigation­.

Northern Beaches duty officer Insp Jason Reimer said detectives had formed Strike Force Hyster to investigate the alleged­ murder of the 81-year-old grandmother between­ 6.30pm and 8.30pm on Sunday.

Mrs Ritchie’s body was found in her unit near the corner of Foam St and Wyadra Ave by her neighbour, Bob Lyford.

Shortly after, Marita Cunningham, 49, of Narraweena was arrested nearby and subsequently charged with murder.

She was refused bail and will appear in Central Local Court on May 17.

Anyone who was in the vicinity of Mrs Ritchie’s home on Sunday night is urged to call Manly police on 9976 8099 or Crime Stoppers on 188 333 000.