AN agonised pal sent a final text by murdered Joanna Yeates revealed last night that he replied - but never heard from her again.
Their mobile exchange is a crucial lead, because it could give cops an accurate idea of the time she was strangled.Matthew Wood got Jo's message inviting him for a drink at 8.20pm on Friday, December 17.
Joanna Yeates ... silence at 9.20pm
The revelations come as it emerged that police are thinking about DNA screening thousands of men over the age of 16 in Bristol.
It is thought that the process would at first start with 5,000 men living in the suburb of Clifton, where Miss Yeates lived.
Landscape architect Jo, 25, had been for pre-Christmas drinks with colleagues and is thought to have arrived at her flat in Clifton, Bristol, at around 9pm.
Her killer may have struck minutes later. Jo's body was found dumped in a lane three miles away on Christmas Day.
Matthew, 28 - who is not a suspect - said: "The text message she sent me was, 'Where are you? Do you fancy a drink?'
"I replied saying I was at the office Christmas party and I was busy. It was just a text message between friends.
"I didn't see her message at first because I was at the party.
"I sent her one back at 9.20pm but she never replied. It is horrifying to think that she may have been dead when I texted her."
A source said last night: "This is potentially very significant.
"Jo was clearly keen at 8.20pm to get in touch. It would be unusual for her not to reply to her friend Matthew's text at 9.20pm.
"The suspicion has to be that Jo may already have been dead."
Science graduate Matthew is a friend of Jo's brother Christopher. Both went to £10,000-a-year King Edward VI school in Southampton.
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You can help in the hunt for Jo's killer by printing off our reward poster above and putting it in the window of your home or business.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or go to avonandsomerset.police.uk/jo
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He has lived in Bristol ten years and met Jo a few times after she moved to the city two years ago and knew few people there.
They had not seen each other for about 18 months. It is believed Jo thought Matthew still lived in the Clifton area. But he had recently moved across the city.
Helping ... David James and
Sheffield goalie Nicky WeaverHe said: "We had been friends on Facebook and had an email exchange and were planning on meeting again at some stage.
"She obviously left her Christmas party early and probably wanted another drink with someone on the way home. But I couldn't go. I wish I had.
"I've been in touch with the family since the news about Jo. It's very sad and I'm upset about it.
"I'd have been out on a Friday night anyway. Whoever did it probably had their eye on her, so it may not have changed anything."
Matthew added: "The police contacted me after Jo disappeared.
"I was interviewed before Christmas and on a second occasion gave a full statement. I hadn't had any recent contact with the police until the story of her last text was in The Sun on Saturday."
Police refused to comment.
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But a source said: "He is somebody Jo texted and has spoken to us as we put together a picture of her movements."
Jo was last seen buying a pizza at around 8.40pm.
She lived with boyfriend Greg Reardon but he was away.
Her landlord Christopher Jefferies, 65, was arrested on suspicion of murder and is on police bail.
Players from Bristol City and Sheffield Wednesday wore Sun T-shirts publicising the need to catch Joanna Yeates' killer as they warmed up before Saturday's FA Cup tie, left.
r.sabey@ the-sun.co.uk
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