Police cordons lifted two weeks on from Suffolk murder

Detectives investigating the death of Anita Rose in Brantham say they've spoken to over 600 people since the attack

Anita Rose
Author: Jo SummerbellPublished 8th Aug 2024
Last updated 8th Aug 2024

Anita left her home on Wednesday 24 July at around 5am to walk her dog.

The 57-year-old was found injured and unconscious at around 6.30am by a member of the public, who called an ambulance.

She had sustained head and facial injuries and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital, where she sadly died four days later.

Two cordons were put in place in the Newmill Lane area on Sunday 3 August, after officers identified two additional locations of interest. These have been lifted today.

Police say her final movements 'would have followed one of her usual dog walking routes' - starting at Palfrey Heights, where she turned onto a track road off Brooklands Rise which she followed to Rectory Lane, before turning onto The Chase and the A137 Ipswich Road.

From there she would have turned onto Newmill Lane, reaching the river before turning back and retracing her steps up to Ipswich Road.

To date, police have arrested and bailed three people in connection with the incident; two on suspicion of murder and one on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

Police still keen to speak with anyone who may have seen Anita

Suffolk Police say their witness appeal still stands.

Anita was found on the track road between the railway line and the Anglia Water sewage treatment plant, near Rectory Lane.

Anyone with information regarding suspicious people or vehicles seen in the area are urged to get in touch.

Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said: "All police cordons in the village have now been lifted, however we are continuing our enquiries including CCTV and data analysis, forensic work and collating messages and statements received.

“Over the last two weeks, we have spoken to more than 630 people, including as part of house-to-house enquiries, and as a result of this approximately 90 statements have been taken. We have also received more than 150 messages via our Major Investigation Public Portal and continue to appeal for anyone with information to come forward.”

Detectives continue to search for Anita’s pink zip-up, waterproof jacket which they believe she was wearing immediately prior to the incident. It is believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly from Regatta.

A Home Office post-mortem was carried out the day after Anita died, but a cause of death has not yet been established.

Anyone with any information or has any knowledge of the incident that could help the police with their enquiries should contact Suffolk police, quoting 37/41580/24.

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