They fear the death of 63-year-old Hannah Smith, who was killed in her own home, has put the Cranhill area of Glasgow back in the spotlight after battling to escape the name “Smack City” and undergoing major redevelopment over the past decade.

Locals have been shocked by the brutality of the murder, which police say was a “sustained, prolonged and vicious attack” which would have left the assailant covered in blood.

The body of Hannah Smith, 63, was found by police in her fourth-floor flat in Soutra Place in the Cranhill area of Glasgow at around 6.20pm on Monday evening.

Officers forced their way into the fourth floor apartment after being called by a worried relative who had not been able to contact the widow since Christmas Day.

Mrs Smith`s brother James Currie, 60, said he had no idea why his sister was murdered and pleaded for help to find her killer.

He said: “She had a few good friends she liked to have a wee drink with but she had no enemies. I can’t believe this has happened.

“She didn’t have anything to justify killing her for and I’m under the impression nothing was stolen, so I’m mystified.

“I’m sure someone must know something that will catch the killer and I want them to come forward and tell police anything they know.”

Mr Currie told the newspaper how he waited outside the door of his sister`s flat as officers used a battering ram to force it open.

He said police told him there was lots of blood inside, and would not let him in because it was a crime scene.

Officers yesterday carried out high visibility patrols as specialist forensic and support teams began an extensive search operation.

A fleet of police vehicles remained at the scene with officers patrolling paths linking the three tower blocks.

No motive has yet been established for the murder and officers want to gather as much information as possible about the dead woman’s whereabouts from Christmas Eve onwards.

Detective Chief Inspector Iain Cunningham, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’re pleased with the response we’ve had from the public so far, but we are still keen to establish Hannah’s movements after 7pm on Christmas Eve.”

The Rev Muriel Pearson, of Cranhill Parish Church, has undertaken painstaking work to bring isolated people through the Cranhill Community Project.

She said: “This is a tragedy and one that could have happened in any part of the city, but the tragedy is that it happened in our part of the city. It will affect people and will make people feel afraid. It also highlights the vulnerability of folk who live on their own.”

The community also united a decade ago after the death of 13-year-old Allan Harper, who became Britain’s youngest drugs victim after dying of a heroin overdose.

Mothers Against Drugs, led by local councillor Gaille McCann, subsequently staged a 400-strong candle-lit procession in a bid to “reclaim” the area, setting themselves on a collision course with local drug dealers who gathered outside meetings to intimidate the protesters.