Unsolved murder of art student, 27, stabbed to death at kids’ play park during morning run after moving from US to UK

MORE than twenty years ago an American artist was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack as she jogged through a park.

Student Margaret Muller, 27, was murdered in Victoria Park in Hackney, east London, on the morning of February 3, 2003.

While the case has been featured several times in TV appeals, the killer was never caught.

The Metropolitan Police found Margaret on a pathway near a children's play area at 8.30am.

Margaret, who lived near the park, had been stabbed multiple times.

Detectives suspect the "shocking" murder may have been a failed mugging.

Officers believe the suspect likely sprinted out of the Queen's Gate entrance to the park.

The killer likely then ran past the Britannia pub overlooking Victoria Park.

Margaret had travelled from the US in 1998 to study at Slade School of Art.

She had even set up her own art studio in Hackney.

Seven arrests were made following one of the country's most notorious unsolved murders.

The Met issued a public appeal in February 2011 that included a £20,000 reward.

At the time, Detective Chief Inspector Nicola Wall said Margaret had a "bright and exciting future".

She said: "Margaret was a talented young woman with a bright and exciting future ahead of her.

"That was all taken away when she was brutally struck down in Victoria Park eight years ago.

"Officers have worked tirelessly on this case and have managed to sift through literally hundreds of pieces of information and leads.

"Despite the tremendous support from the local community, we know that some people still hold vital information about Margaret's murder.

"Together with information already gathered they could help us achieve justice for Margaret and her family and friends.

"We urge anyone with new information to come forward and assist us."

The force made a fresh call for information about the unsolved knife murder of the 4ft 10in jogger last year.

Det Chief Insp Amanda Greig, of the Met's unsolved murders team, said: "I know people may think too much time has passed for someone to be held to account for this heinous crime, but that is simply not the case.

"We are very keen to receive new information that, for whatever reason, someone has felt unable to provide previously."