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Police have released the first picture of a Jehovah's Witness ex-nurse who was killed at her £420,000 home, which later was later set ablaze.

Scotland Yard have launched their 100th homicide investigation in the capital this year after the pensioner was found dead.

Officers say Carole Harrison’s body was discovered in her house in leafy Teddington, south west London, following a blaze in the early hours of Wednesday.

The Met Police say the 73-year-old had suffered injuries “consistent with an assault”.

The mother of five lived alone after her late husband Terry, a bus driver, died 22 years ago.

(Image: Berny Torre / SWNS.com)

According to neighbours, her son Christopher lives in a nursing home while Ian lives nearby and regularly visited her. Her other son Stuart visits from time to time.

Carole also has two daughters and is estranged from one of them.

Her family said in a statement issued by police: "She was a loving mother and caring person who dedicated most of her life to nursing in the NHS and private care homes.

"She really was a grandmother with character and will be deeply missed for her unique cheeky laugh and comical character.

"Due to the illness she suffered from, she trusted anyone that she met, sought friendship in many people and was known for being somewhat generous at times.

"Her illness could make her frustrated at times too.

(Image: Berny Torre / SWNS.com)

"This is a very difficult time for us and we appreciate that there is an ongoing Police investigation and we would ask anyone who knows anything that could help with the investigation to please contact the police.

"Particularly if anyone saw her on Tuesday, 21 August. If you have ANY information please contact the police immediately on 0208 721 4622.

"We ask that our privacy during this difficult time is respected by all.'

A neighbour who knew the retired nurse said Carole had recently “inherited a large sum of money” and hoped to buy a property with the funds.

The woman, who did not wish to be named, said: “Carole was telling everybody she had money. She even came to me and said she had come across money.

(Image: Berny Torre / SWNS.com)

“She was going around telling people and told me that she had lost a brother and sister and she was getting half the value of their home.

“I think it was very unlikely that she had it.”

Neighbour Flo Osmond, 75, claimed she had a “habit of inviting people in that she didn’t know”

She added: “She really did not know what she was doing”.

Another neighbour said Carole also worked in a local launderette four decades ago.

Close friends claimed she wanted to buy a new home with the money she believed she would inherit.

One said: "She was a nurse at one time.

"She was a very good friend of mine and I used to enjoy our talks that we had together.

"I enjoyed she had returned to having Bible studies.

"This Wednesday she would have her second bible study with two sisters from our Jehovah's Witness congregation and she enjoyed it.

"She's a lovely lady and a good friend and she will be missed in the road. At the end of the day I think she had a kind heart.

"It is very upsetting, we are going to miss her because we used to see each other quite regularly."