Margaret Muller studied at the Slade School of Fine Art

Both women were stabbed to death in frenzied attacks while out in London parks during the morning.

Miss Nickell, 23, was stabbed 49 times in front of her young son on Wimbledon Common, south-west London, in 1992.

Miss Muller, 27, was stabbed in the body and neck when she was jogging in Victoria Park, east London, on 3 February.

Despite the publicity surrounding Miss Muller's murder, which included Crimewatch appeals and London's largest-ever crime reconstruction, no-one has been charged.

The 4ft 10ins American artist was not robbed or sexually assaulted and detectives believe she may have been attacked at random by a total stranger.

Rachel Nickell was stabbed 49 times

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "It would be remiss of us not to consider whether the two inquiries are linked, but this is one of many lines of inquiry we are conducting.

"There certainly are connections on the surface, if you look at the facts, that suggests it would be worthwhile investigating both (murders) in tandem."

He added: "At this stage it is not clear they are linked, but it is good practice to explore all avenues of investigation."

Colin Stagg was charged with Miss Nickell's murder, but was cleared in 1994 when the evidence against him was ruled inadmissible.

The case is now one of several murders being reviewed using modern scientific and forensic techniques.

Police are still looking for two men "of Mediterranean appearance" who were seen running from Victoria Park at the time of Miss Muller's murder.

Three men have been arrested in connection with the case.

Two were released without charge and a third, a teenager from Limehouse, east London, has been bailed to return to police on 1 July.