Norma Girolami has been missing since October

DETECTIVES have offered a £20,000 reward for information which can help them find a 70-year-old who has been missing since last summer – and is now feared dead.

Although no body has been discovered, a murder inquiry is open in relation to the disappearance of Norma Girolami.

As police launched an appeal to the public for information, her cousin Pia Graham said yesterday (Thursday): “We miss you so much Norma. Christmas was such a hard time for us because we know it was a time you loved, seeing us and being around family.

“Going to St Joseph’s for Christmas Mass. Helping those less fortunate than you.”

She added: “I would ask everyone to look closely at these pictures and think about whether you recognise Norma. Did you see her last summer? If you think you might have information – even if you aren’t completely sure it was her or don’t remember exact dates – please contact the police.

Did you see a grey Kia Niro, possibly with a red warning sign?

“No piece of information is too small.”

Norma had been a regular at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Highgate Hill, close to her home. She was also a member of the Archway Leisure Centre.

There has been no trace of her, however, since mid-August last year.

Officers said she liked to visit Leigh-on-Sea in Essex and are aware she made a trip there on Thursday August 19, taking the train from Barking before returning to London later that day. Norma’s communi­cation stopped that same evening.

As part of the investigation, officers have released an image of a car they believe may be linked to Norma’s disappearance.

Detective Chief Inspector Jo Sidaway, leading the investigation, said: “Norma’s friends and family faced their first Christmas without her and have had to start a new year still not knowing exactly what has happened.

“We are working tirelessly to get them the answers they so desperately need.”

Ms Girolami had been a regular at St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Highgate Hill, close to her home, and was also a member of the Archway Leisure Centre

DCI Sidaway said: “The fact that she has been missing for so long, and that all proof of life has been negative, means we are treating this as a murder investigation.

“We are urging anyone who knew Norma or regularly saw her to come forward and speak to us, whether it be a neighbour or someone who works at a shop that she visited frequently.”

The car in the appeal photo is a grey Kia Niro and police want anyone who may have seen it between Thursday August 19 and Friday October 1 last year around the Highgate and Finchley areas to come forward.

“The car could have also been using a vehicle warning sign in one of the doors which may have made it stand out more than others,” DCI Sidaway said. “Perhaps you saw it parked on your road or behaving suspiciously in the area.

“Please contact us with any information – it will be treated in confidence and if you don’t feel comfortable speaking to us then you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”