An elderly brother and sister arrested over the murder of a 77-year-old neighbour have been told they have been eliminated from police inquiries, a force spokeswoman said.
Judith Richardson was found battered with a hammer in the hallway of her home in Hexham, Northumberland, by officers who were returning her handbag which had been dumped in a Newcastle bin on August 19.
Police arrested then bailed charity shop volunteer Annie Snaith, 78, and her brother Edward Brewis, 84, both of Hexham, two days later.
Since then they have arrested and charged Graeme Jarman, 47, of Consett, County Durham, with murder.
He appeared via videolink at Newcastle Crown Court on Friday and the case was adjourned until September 22. No pleas were entered.
A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "A man and a woman who were arrested on August 21 in connection with the murder have now been eliminated from inquiries and will no longer be required to attend a police station to answer bail."
