JESUS ARMY WOMAN IS FOUND DEAD

Source : 04/08/1994 Daventry Weekly Express

A Woman found dead in a ditch, murdered, has been identified as a member of the Jesus Fellowship commune in Patishall.

Julie Ann Clayton(27), originally from Australia, arrived at Festal Grange seven years ago, but had left for a year break at the start of June.

Her battered body was found four weeks ago near Lincoln. Police are treating the death as murder, and believe she may have been dead for some days before she was found on July 6.

Her identity was a mystery until commune member John Campbell recognised a picture printed in a national newspaper.

When he first saw the computer generated picture, he recognised Julie.

'She was a person who made very many friends. I know of no-one who had a grudge, this is a mystery.'

After John contacted police last Thursday evening, his worst fears were confirmed when dental records confirmed Julie was the victim.

Detective superintendent George Patterson, of Lincolnshire Police, is leading the hunt.

'We believe Julie stayed overnight with a female friend in London on Friday July 1.'

'She left early before her friend got up and it is thought that she may have been intending to hitch hike north, but we do not know exactly where she was heading.'

He wants to hear from anyone who may have seen Julie between July 2 and 6 hitch hiking.

Julie had left in early June to travel around the UK, including a visit to the Glastonbury Festival, before planning to return to Australia in October to see her family.

She had worked at the Goodness Foods bakery in Braunston, as well as other branches of the store in the county.

Mr Campbell said that Julie had joined the commune as it had restored her faith in Christianity.