FAMILY and friends of an Ayrshire widow murdered in her home gathered

to pay their last respects yesterday as detectives renewed their appeal

for help in tracing her killer.

Mrs Agnes Montgomery, 46, known locally as Nan Love, was found dead

seven weeks ago in her home at Fleming Terrace, Irvine, by a young

neighbour. Her collie dog was by her side.

Since then, detectives based at the incident room in Irvine have

interviewed more than 1000 people but have failed to trace the killer.

They remain convinced, however, that the person is local and was

probably known to the victim.

At the funeral service yesterday, the Rev. Jack Campbell of St

Andrew's Church warned against society becoming used to or blase about

crime and violence.

He added: ''We are here to grieve over a life cruelly cut short and

unfulfilled but also to give thanks for the 46 years of life and the

happiness which Agnes gave to her family and friends.''

The mourners included family members, neighbours, and police officers

involved in the murder inquiry.

After Mrs Montgomery was laid to rest in Knadgerhill Cemetery on the

outskirts of the town, the man leading the hunt for her killer renewed

his appeal for help from the public.

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Lauder said he and dozens of his

officers had been working for 47 days on the inquiry and had spoken to

more than 1000 people in their search -- the bulk of them in the Irvine

area.

He said the vital times in the inquiry were between 1am and 8am on

June 14 and that he remained anxious to trace a number of people who may

have been in the area around those times.

Mr Lauder added: ''It is very often the case that people do not

realise that what they have seen or heard may be important to this

inquiry.

''I would appeal to them to come forward and talk to us. They may have

a small, though vital, piece of information which we need to help

complete the picture.''

The senior detective declined to discuss how the widow met her death

but said that there was no evidence to suggest a sexual motive or

whether the killer was male or female.

He added: ''Our inquiries point to the fact that the killer was known

to the deceased and that the person belongs to the local area.

''Perhaps out of some misguided sense of loyalty someone is

withholding information from us. I would urge them to consider how

serious a crime murder is and come forward.

''If they wish to speak to us in confidence, my officers will be happy

to arrange that at any place they wish.''

The murder team is seeking the owner of a red Ford Fiesta, F or G

registered, which was seen in Caledonian Avenue on the night of the

murder.

They wish to eliminate everyone in the area from their inquiries.