PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Police hunting the killer of a 77-year-old woman whose battered body was found by officers returning her stolen handbag have made two arrests.
Judith Richardson, of Hexham, Northumberland, died from head injuries after what police said was a "brutal attack".
Officers discovered her in the hallway of her stone-built terraced home after her handbag and some of its contents were found stuffed into a litter bin in Newcastle city centre, 25 miles away.
Northumbria Police appealed for information about anyone seen acting suspiciously on public transport between Hexham and Newcastle on Friday and also asked taxi drivers if they remembered any unusual fares between the two places.
A force spokeswoman said: "Police have arrested two people in connection with this murder and they are helping police with their inquiries."
Police were expected to release more details about the arrests later.
Superintendent Frank Gallop on Sunday urged whoever was responsible to hand themselves in, saying: "The death of a 77-year-old woman has had a devastating impact not only on the community but on her family."
Miss Richardson, who lived alone and never married, was regularly seen in Hexham walking her dog.
Her family released a statement which said: "This has been a devastating loss and we are all in a state of shock. Judith was a wonderful person and we all loved her dearly. We hope that anyone who can will help police with their inquiries.
"We thank everyone for their condolences and ask that others can respect the privacy of our family at this extremely difficult time."