DETECTIVES investigating the murder of a consultant paediatrician are appealing to the public for help to find the key to her Toyota Avensis car.

Doctor Victoria Anyetei was found in the vehicle with multiple stab wounds on the driveway of her home in Teynham Road, Dartford, at around 10.20am on August 14. She had left her house at about 8am to go to work at St Thomas’ Hospital in London.

Police have revealed the key is missing and issued a photograph of a replica at a press conference held at Kent Police Headquarters on Thursday.

Officers want anyone who thinks they have seen someone dispose of a key or who has seen this type of key discarded somewhere to come forward and speak to them immediately.

The key is a standard type and had a leather fob with a metal Toyota insert. It is possible the fob contained a smaller silver key too.

People can call a dedicated incident room number with any information – the number is 01634 884011. There is also the Kent Crimestoppers number – 0800 555111, this call is free of charge and you don’t have to give personal details.

Det Ch Insp Anne Brittain, who is heading up the murder inquiry, said: "Victoria’s killer is believed to have taken this key when they left the scene of the murder and I am sure someone out there can help us find the key. It could help lead us to the murderer."

"Did you notice anyone discarding a Toyota car key. It is very likely the killer threw away the key after the murder. I would ask people in the area to check their gardens and borders for this key and if you find it, don’t touch it but call the police straight away.

"Did you see anyone with a similar type of key and wondered why they are in possession of it? If you have any information linked to this it is important that you come forward and talk to us immediately.’

The fresh police appeal came as Victoria’s elder brother, Dr Jonathan Anyetei, also urged people with any information about the crime to come forward and help the team of 20 officers investigating the murder.

Dr Anyetei, a dental surgeon, described his sister’s killer as a ‘coward’ and said that no one should shield a murderer.

Dr Anyetei paid tribute to Victoria, who was 54, and spoke of his family’s huge loss, describing how relatives are all still in shock following her death.

He said: "I would like to start by saying our family is still in shock from losing my sister Victoria in these circumstances and we are trying hard to support each other at this time. The family is devastated and will never be the same again.

"Victoria was a very kind hearted and helpful woman who was a dedicated mother and loving sister. She was loved deeply by all of us and will be terribly missed.

"She was the glue for the family, she held us all together and she was also a safety net in the sense that if any of us were going to fall, she would be there to support us.

"As you already know, she was humble, intelligent and very caring. She was also very well liked and respected by all her colleagues and has been described by them as having a lovely warm manner with the children she cared for.

"We would like to thank the media for all their help so far in appealing for information on behalf of the police, but we would also like to appeal directly to people in the community and say please, please come forward if you have any information about my sister’s murder.

"It may seem insignificant to you but it could make a huge difference to the police investigation.’

DCI Brittain added: "I would like to reiterate that we have had an encouraging response from the media appeals, the road checks and from people coming to talk to us at the mobile police station we’ve placed near Dr Anyetei’s home.

"We are following a number of possible new lines of enquiry as a result of the information we’ve received.

"We are, of course, very grateful to all those who have come forward with information, but we must emphasise that we still want people to come forward to help us build up a more detailed picture of what exactly what was going on in the area on the morning Victoria was killed."