Third arrest made as police investigate murder of a Suffolk dogwalker
It follows the anniversary checks that were carried out by officers this morning, Wednesday 31 July, to establish any further potential lines of enquiry.
Last updated 1st Aug 2024
Detectives investigating the murder of 57-year-old Anita Rose in Brantham one week ago have arrested a third person in connection with the incident.
It follows the anniversary checks that were carried out by officers this morning, Wednesday 31 July, to establish any further potential lines of enquiry.
At approximately 6:25am on Wednesday 24 July, Anita was found injured and unconscious on a track road near Rectory Lane by a member of public. She had left her house at around 5am to take her dog, a springer spaniel named Bruce, for a walk.
Police were called by the East of England Ambulance Service shortly after 8am.
Anita had sustained injuries to her head and face and was taken to Addenbrookes’ Hospital, where she sadly died four days later (on Sunday 28 July).
A Home Office post-mortem examination was carried out the following day, Monday 29 July, however the cause of death has not been established and will be subject to further tests.
This afternoon police arrested a man aged in his 20s, and from Brantham, on suspicion of murder. He was taken to the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning where he remains.
This is the third arrest, after two people from Ipswich were arrested on Saturday, 27 July, in connection with the incident. A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later re-arrested on suspicion of murder. A 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods. Both parties were taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and have since been released on police bail, with conditions to return on 25 October 2024.
High-visibility anniversary checks were conducted this morning in the Rectory Lane area, on train services between Ipswich and Colchester and other public transport, with officers speaking with residents and commuters as part of the ongoing public engagement and reassurance patrols.
Officers handed out more than 1,200 leaflets with residents living in the area also completed questionnaires to help with this inquiry.
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said: “We have had a strong response from the public who have positively engaged with officers in the village, on the public transport network and around the scene of the incident, as well as the wider investigation team through the Major Investigation Public Portal and we would like to thank the public for their continued support.
“Today alone, and following this morning’s anniversary checks, we have had nearly 40 responses via our Public Portal and have identified new potential witnesses.
“Whilst we have recovered Anita’s iPhone, her pink zip-up jacket which we believe she was wearing immediately prior to the incident remains outstanding. We reiterate our appeal for information as to its whereabouts as it could hold key information or evidence to the investigation. The jacket is described as waterproof in material and is believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly from Regatta.
“We also urge people to please refrain from speculating about the incident, to allow the investigation and any subsequent court proceedings to take place.”
Local residents with CCTV or doorbell cameras are urged to review their footage and passengers travelling on trains towards Ipswich, Colchester or Manningtree last Wednesday morning who may have seen anything suspicious are asked to contact police.
Detectives believe Anita’s final movements would have followed her usual dog walking route which started at Palfrey Heights, where she then 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 an