DNA find in Meredith investigation

8:02pm Thursday 15th November 2007

DNA from both Meredith Kercher and Amanda Knox, a suspect in her murder, has been found on a knife, according to Italian police.

Investigators also found DNA from Amanda Knox's boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito - who is also a suspect in the 21-year-old Coulsdon student's killing - on the blade. Tests are continuing on hair found in the former Old Palace pupil's left hand and on Mr Sollecito's trainers.

Detectives in Perugia said Meredith died trying to fight off a sex attack in the bedroom of her shared house.

Her housemate, American student Amanda Knox, 20, Knox's Italian boyfriend Raffaele Sollecito, 24, and Congolese bar owner Diya Lumumba, 37, have all been remanded in custody over the killing.

Police are also reported to be hunting a fourth person after finding a bloody fingerprint in the house that did not match any of the other suspects.

Meredith's body was returned home earlier this week.

Her family say they are pleased she is back home where she belongs.

Mum, Arline Kercher, said: "We are just happy that she is back home. This is such a hard time but we have had so much support from people and we would just like to say thank you.

"We have received so many flowers and gifts and we would really like to thank everyone for their good wishes."

And dad John Kercher said: "We weren't sure when she would be coming back to us, which was obviously frustrating since we couldn't make funeral arrangements.

"We are shocked by the stories of how she died. It is difficult and we just want to get through this. We are taking it one day at a time."