Armed burglars' victim was beaten, say murder police

Detectives said they are hunting two men who robbed 64-year-old Edward Syrad and his wife Anne, 58, at their bungalow in Barnehurst.

The burglars are believed to have targeted the couple deliberately, binding them up with tape in separate rooms and escaping with cash.

Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons, leading the investigation, said: "On Wednesday between 10pm and 11pm two men armed with a gun entered the premises.

"They subjected Edward to violence and threats of violence and as a result of that Edward died. We are treating this as murder." A post-mortem examination to establish the cause of death was being carried out today.

Police are investigating if the raid was linked to one in Deptford last month when a restaurant owner was attacked by a gang armed with a mallet who poured boiling water over him when he refused to give the code to his safe.

Mrs Syrad was said to have found her husband on the floor after struggling free from her bonds. A relative said: "The burglars walked into the bedroom and she was held at gunpoint.

"As far as I'm aware she was tied up in one room and Ted was in another. He was a crafty smoker, so it's thought he was in the garden having a cigarette and they came over the wall.

"Anne rang 999 after the burglars left. She'd managed to hop into another room where she saw Ted. She tried to nudge him but he wasn't moving."
The relative did not believe it was a random attack as the couple are "quite well-off".

Detectives are understood to be probing whether the attack was linked to Mrs Syrad's business dealings. She runs a building and property company in Greenwich and is due to retire later this year. Her husband did not work due to poor eyesight.

He had two children of his own, Paul and Julie, and a stepson, Colin Philby, who is due to get married in two months. He was also a grandfather.
Forensic science officers were still at the scene today and the couple's Mercedes was outside in the street. No arrests have been made.

Anyone with information should call 020 8721 4961 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.