Suspect 'tried to hire' killers

A man who the police suspect killed Patricia Attard, a 55-year-old mother of five, by shooting her in the head in a remote area of Ta' Qali on Friday night, is believed to have tried to hire people to do the job for him.

Sources said the man, in his early 30s, had approached people in criminal circles offering several thousand liri for them to kill Mrs Attard.

It is understood that the man was, in turn, acting on behalf of another man who was willing to pay to have the woman eliminated, the sources added.

The police suspected the murder was commissioned as soon as they identified the dead woman's body. The sources said the way the murder was carried out showed it was not the work of professionals. However, the suspect remained a hard nut to crack.

The victim was the co-owner of Pat's Garage, in Hamrun. She also worked as a driver and was found dead in the van she drove.

A man, who is employed as a driver, was twice interviewed by the police since the murder took place. He was first held on Saturday morning and again on Wednesday after the police received the results of forensic tests and other evidence.

The victim was last seen alive at a Bugibba bingo hall on Friday night. She then went to Ta' Qali where she had to meet someone in a remote area. She was shot three times by a small calibre semi-automatic pistol.

Mobile squad police officers found Mrs Attard's body slumped on the front seat at about 4 a.m. on Saturday. But it is believed she was already dead at about 11 p.m. on Friday.

The victim was known to have accumulated substantial amounts of debts and was often asked to pay up by loan sharks.

Police commissioner John Rizzo, Assistant Commissioner Manwel Cassar and CID Superintendent Pierre Calleja are heading investigations.