POLICE are to hit 9,000 homes in a DNA sweep to help trace Michelle Samaraweera's killer.

Officers will target addresses within a half-mile radius of where Ms Samaraweera's partially-clothed body was found at 5.50am on May 30.

She had been strangled and raped.

It was announced yesterday that DNA samples would be taken from men in the Walthamstow area matching the description issued of the killer.

The suspect is described as being of Asian appearance, or with dark skin, aged between 30 and 40.

The sweep is aimed at eliminating as many innocent men from the investigation as possible.

Ms Samaraweera's murder has also been linked to two other rapes in the Walthamstow area.

Two women, aged 59 and 46, were attacked on March 24 and April 22 respectively.