Candles have been laid after the sudden murder of Julia James which has shocked an entire village and nation whilst the search continues for her killer.
Julia James tributes
Floral tributes have been left near the home in Aylesham for Julia James. The family have described her as fiercely loyal, and that she loved with her whole heart.
She joined the force as a PCSO in 2008 and had more recently been working with victims of domestic abuse while based in Canterbury.
The body of Julia James, 53, was found in Akholt Wood, Snowdown, near Dover, on Tuesday. The discovery was made just a few hundred yards from her house where the cause of the death was described as a blunt trauma to the head.
Her family said they were “trying to understand how we will navigate our lives without her,” adding: “It seems an impossible task.”
She was a “fiercely loyal” wife, mother, daughter, grandmother, sister and friend, who “loved with her whole heart,” her family said.
“Nothing was too much trouble for the people she cared about,” the statement added.
We want justice for Julia
News has surged over social media accounts taking to the sites to share their anger in how the story of Julia James’ death has not been shared or highlighted as much as other stories. It is felt that as she is a Police Officer the story has not been highlighted as prominently as others and this has surged a high volume of complaints from only users.
Ms James’ family have started an online campaign #justiceforjulia, meanwhile Prime Minister Boris Johnson paid tribute to Ms James as the vigil was held in her memory.
In a Facebook post, her daughter Bethan Coles said: “A number of people have asked about holding a vigil for Mum, and whilst I am so grateful for people wanting to remember her, I am very conscious that any gathering would need to be policed (if it was even allowed).”
“I’ve discussed this with my family and we are in agreement that we would prefer all police resources to be concentrating on the investigation as there is so much work to be done.”
Instead she suggested people wishing to remember her mother should light a candle for her and leave it on their doorstep.
She added: “This would be a beautiful nod to Mum in a way that doesn’t intrude on the police investigation.”
Police said they could not rule out the possibility Ms James had been attacked by a stranger, but were investigating “all possibilities in terms of motive and suspects”.
Her family appealed for anyone with information “however small or insignificant” to contact police.
“You could be helping us get justice for Julia,” they said.
What now?
Police officers have now started stopping random vehicles in the search for clues. Officers stopped motorists in Aylesham, Kent since the murder of Julia happened on Tuesday.
No arrests have been made. The National Crime Agency is giving advice on specialist forensic search techniques.
Police in Dover have urged members of the public to be “cautious, vigilant and aware of your surroundings” while out and about.
