Woman in her 80s found on fire in Watford attempted murder probe

Summarised from 4 outlets · 11 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 17:58 · Archive

An 80-year-old woman named Brenda Raymond remains in critical condition after being found on fire in a Watford flat block on Monday.

An 80-year-old woman named Brenda Raymond was found on fire in a first-floor communal area at Caractacus Cottage View in West Watford on Monday, November 9, at 12.47pm. She suffered significant injuries and was taken to hospital, where she remains in a critical condition. Hertfordshire Police are treating the incident as attempted murder.

Police believe Ms Raymond was attacked as she returned home. An accelerant may have been used to set her alight, and evidence suggests flammable liquid may also have been poured through the letterbox of another property in the area. Detective Inspector Adam Bridges, from the Major Crime Unit, described it as 'an appalling and deeply distressing attack on an elderly woman who suffered horrific injuries'.

Ms Raymond's family, 'understandably distraught', released her name and photograph to help generate information about the incident. Neighbours described her as friendly, chatty and ordinary. One who had known her for about 40 years said: 'At her age, she's in her 80s now, injuries like that could be fatal.'

Detectives are working at pace to establish how the attack occurred. Detective Inspector Bridges said: 'Someone out there knows something. You may have witnessed suspicious activity, heard a conversation, noticed unusual behaviour, or captured something on CCTV or dash cam footage without realising its significance.'

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward. The incident reference is ISR 305 of November 9. Information can be reported online at herts.police.uk/report, via web chat at herts.police.uk/contact, or by calling 101.

How it is being reported

• Woman in her 80s set on fire in Herts named as attempted murder investigation continuesDetectives investigating the attempted murder of 80-year-old Brenda Raymond have released her name, in the hope someone will come forward with information.Hemel Gazette · 11 Nov, 17:59
• Everything we know after pensioner set on fire in attempted murder in WatfordEverything we know after a woman in her 80s was found on fire in Watford, sparking an attempted murder probe.Watford Observer · 11 Nov, 17:48
• Woman 'set on fire in attempted murder' at Herts flat block named by policeAn 80-year-old woman who was 'deliberately set on fire in an attempted murder' in Watford has been named as Brenda Raymond.Herts Advertiser · 11 Nov, 17:25
• Woman 'set on fire in attempted murder' at Herts flat block named by policeAn 80-year-old woman who was 'deliberately set on fire in an attempted murder' in Watford has been named as Brenda Raymond.The Comet · 11 Nov, 17:25
• Pensioner 'set on fire in attempted murder' named by policePolice have named the woman found on fire in Watford as an attempted murder investigation continues.Watford Observer · 11 Nov, 17:08
• Friends' anguish after 'ordinary' pensioner found on fire in 'attempted murder'Friends of a “friendly and chatty” woman in her 80s who was found on fire in an "attempted murder" have voiced anguish at the “awful” attack as a police probe continues.Watford Observer · 11 Nov, 15:00
• Woman in her 80s found on fire in Herts as police launch attempted murder investigationHertfordshire Police detectives have launched an investigation into an attempted murder after a woman aged in her 80s was found on fire.Hemel Gazette · 11 Nov, 10:18
• Attempted murder probe after woman in 80s found on fire in Herts flat blockAttempted murder probe launched after woman in her 80s found on fire at Watford flat block.Herts Advertiser · 11 Nov, 09:16
• Attempted murder probe after woman in 80s found on fire in Herts flat blockAttempted murder probe launched after woman in her 80s found on fire at Watford flat block.The Comet · 11 Nov, 09:16
• Attempted murder probe after woman in 80s found on fireA woman in her 80s is in a critical condition after being found on fire in Watford, with an attempted murder probe underway.Watford Observer · 10 Nov, 18:19
• Woman in her 80s fighting for her life after she was found on fireA woman in her 80s is fighting for her life after she was found on fire in Watford.Watford Observer · 10 Nov, 18:18

In this story: Brenda Raymond · Hertfordshire Police · Watford · Caractacus Cottage View · Adam Bridges

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log