Family of Watford woman set alight ‘desperate for answers’ after attack
The family of 80-year-old Brenda Raymond, who was found set alight outside her Watford flat on Monday, has expressed being 'desperate for answers' as she remains in critical condition.
The family of an elderly woman who was set on fire outside a block of flats in Watford have said that they are 'desperate for answers' as she fights for her life. Brenda Raymond, 80, was found set alight outside her flat on Caractacus Cottage View on Monday and taken to a nearby hospital where she remains in critical condition.
Hertfordshire constabulary have confirmed that a 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life but has since been released on bail with strict conditions. Police believe Raymond was attacked as she returned home at around noon, with attackers pouring some kind of flammable liquid on her before setting her alight.
Family appeal
Raymond's family described the attack as leaving them in 'complete shock' and expressed confusion over why she was targeted. In a statement issued via police, they said: 'Words cannot describe how distressing the past few days have been for us as a family. Our beautiful, chatty, fun-loving and much-loved Brenda... has suffered catastrophic injuries in the most devastating of circumstances.'
We simply cannot understand why anyone would have wanted to hurt her in this way. Someone out there knows something. They know what happened to Brenda. We are desperate for answers and are pleading for anyone with information to please come forward.
Police investigation
Detectives revealed that an accelerant was also poured through the letterbox of a nearby flat, though they have not officially linked the two events. The decision to publicly name Raymond was made by police with her family's approval on Wednesday in the hope it would lead to witnesses coming forward.
DI Adam Bridges from the Major Crime Unit stated: 'This was an appalling and deeply distressing attack on an elderly woman who suffered horrific injuries after being set alight outside her own home. Her family are understandably distraught and have taken the step of releasing her name and photograph to help jog people's memories around this distressing and highly unusual incident.'
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