Roxanne Fong Woo have called for public support to aid Police in apprehending the couple's killer.

The news came yesterday in the Newark daily paper, The Star-Ledger, which reported earlier this week that the couple was found bound and shot in an execution-style murder on Monday in their apartment in East Orange, New Jersey.

Valance Fong Woo, uncle of the slain woman, their neighbours and friends have urged anyone with information to call the prosecutor's office.

But investigators released no new information yesterday and Charlotte Smith, public relations officer for the Essex County Prosecutor's office, said she could make no comments because the case was under investigation.

Labelling the killings "a tragedy'', Mr. Woo said: "She had everything going for her. She was radiant, outspoken and very nice. I don't know what kind of motive could have prompted this.'' He added that his niece would have celebrated her 31st birthday on Tuesday and that she was looking forward to graduating later this month from a trade school in Newark where she was training to become a computer technician.

The couple had sent their young daughter to live with Miss Woo's family in Jamaica while she concentrated on her studies and held down a full time job with a law firm in Newark.

Jackie Hanaze, a close friend of the couple, said it was hard to come to grips with the double murder and said she began to worry on Saturday when she was unable to reach her girlfriend Roxanne, by telephone, and she described her reaction at the news.

"I was devastated,'' she said. "I just started screaming. I was uncontrollable.'' Ms Hanaze said she and other family members are trying to start a trust fund for the couple's five-year-old daughter Najah.

Neighbours trimmed a tree with red and white ribbons outside the home of the couple as a memorial and three lit candles were placed on the walkway outside the couple's two-bedroom apartment.

Beside the candles was a bouquet of yellow and white carnations with a card that read: "You will be sadly missed.'' It was signed: "Orange Post Office letter carrier.'' Another bouquet of roses bore a note from "the Davis Family'', written on a foam plate. It said: "Roxanne and Stitchy. We love and miss you! Two beautiful people.'' Funeral arrangements for the couple are pending the release of the bodies to the families.