A PENSIONER who was killed in her own home last week ran a Sheffield massage parlour, the Chronicle has learned.
Jill Hibberd was found dead by police at the detached property on Roy Kilner Road, Wombwell, at around 7.45am last Thursday.
A post mortem revealed the 73-year-old, who had only recently moved into the house, had died from multiple stab wounds.
According to Companies House, Ms Hibberd was the sole director of Fantasia, on Attercliffe Road, in the city’s red light district.
Fantasia, which has been operating since 2009, claims to offer ‘relaxation therapy’. When contacted by the Chronicle, a member of staff confirmed Jill - who had no immediate family - had been in charge of the business.
Another worker, who did not wish to be named, said the murder had shocked people on Attercliffe Road, where Jill was ‘well-known’.
“We heard about what had happened on Thursday morning, but nobody knew it was Jill at first because not many people knew about her personal life.
“I didn’t know where she lived, so it wasn’t until later on in the night when her name started being mentioned and it became a bit clearer.
“We still wasn’t 100 per cent sure until the police named her last weekend.
“It shocked us because the first thing I thought was that a client had been responsible. In this job aggression is common, so girls have been on edge this week.
“But Jill was a nice woman, someone who looked after people. She was very well-known in Sheffield and was respected by those who knew her.”
A friend, who also did not wish to be named, said Jill’s smile lit up a room.
“I’ve known her for 16 years and my heart is broken because of what she must have gone through,” they said. “She was a private person but was one who often socialised with her friends.
“Her two small dogs, Bumble and Munchkin, were her life. She had no family and was adopted, but her mother had died a while ago. She was back at work the day after - that was the sort of person she was.
“Jill had a beautiful smile, one which lit up the room. I last spoke to her on Tuesday, the day before she was murdered, and everything was fine.
“All we want now is for justice to be served.”
Lee Fueloep, 40, of Willow Garth, Wombwell, appeared before Sheffield Crown Court yesterday charged with the murder, and additional charges of burglary and theft. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
Jill’s red Audi TT - which had been missing since last Wednesday night - was located on Finch Avenue, Newmillerdam, Wakefield, by police on Tuesday. Its registration plates had been changed.
A 22-year-old man from Wakefield was arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, burglary and theft.
Detective Chief Inspector Jude Ashmore appealed to the public for help in building up a picture of what happened to Jill last Wednesday night.
“Our thoughts are with Jill’s friends at the sad time,” DCI Ashmore said. “I cannot stress how important it is for anyone with information about what happened to Jill to contact us immediately.
“I want to offer my sincerest thanks to those who have been in touch with us, and while we are now in possession of the vehicle and various forensic analysis will be undertaken, I am still appealing to anyone who believes they may have seen the car, on specific dates and times.
“Did you see the car, registration number YM17 SYJ, taken from the scene of the crime on Roy Kilner Road, Wombwell, last Wednesday at around 9pm?
“The registration number was changed to YY63 CFA, which were number plates taken from a red Audi A4 parked on Wharncliffe Street in Barnsley town centre, between 4pm on June 1 and 5.30am on June 2.
“The specific details, while they may seem insignificant, could be vital to the investigation and I would urge anyone who believes they could assist to please make contact with us directly via our incident room on 01709 443510.
“Alternatively, please call 101 or anonymously make contact with Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 141 of May 31.”
