Police release route dog walker may have taken before she was attacked in Brantham
Anita Rose was found unconscious with a serious head injury and died later in hospital
Police investigating the murder of a 57-year-old woman in Brantham say they are ‘working hard’ to establish the circumstances surrounding her injuries and subsequent death.
Suffolk Constabulary’s Major Investigation Team say they are continuing to progress a large number of enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding her injuries and subsequent death.
This work to includes house to house enquiries, searches of the scene where Anita was found and surrounding areas, as well as searching through CCTV footage and on-going forensic work.
Suffolk Constabulary say they will be working alongside their partners at the British Transport Police to establish any further potential lines of enquiries and are planning to conduct an anniversary check in the Rectory Lane area on Wednesday 31 July.
Anita Rose, 57, left her house at approximately 5am to take her dog, a springer spaniel named Bruce, for a walk.
At approximately 6:25am on Wednesday 24 July, a member of public found Anita lying on a track road near the sewage works and railway line, off Rectory Lane, unconscious, and called an ambulance. Officers were then called by the East of England Ambulance Service shortly after 8am.
Anita was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital having sustained a serious head injury and sadly passed on Sunday morning (28 July).
On Saturday 27 July, a 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
That same day, a 37-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods in connection with the incident. Both 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.
Detective Supt Mike Brown said: “Residents will continue to see additional police officers patrolling and engaging in the area. We recognise that many people will feel concerned, but I can reassure you that we are working hard to identify what has taken place and that this investigation is a priority for the Constabulary.
“If people are concerned about going out for a walk, I would advise them to remain vigilant, tell someone where you are going, what time you expect to be back and let them know when you are home.
“Anita’s family continue to be supported by specially trained police officers as part of the investigation. We appreciate it’s a very difficult time for them and we therefore ask for people not to speculate on social media about this incident.”
Detectives are continuing to appeal to trace Anita’s pink zip-up jacket which police believe she was wearing immediately prior to the incident. The missing pink zip-up jacket is described as waterproof in material and believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly from Regatta.
Detective Supt Mike Brown said: “Information from the public is always a key part in investigations and I am again appealing for any information on the whereabouts of Anita’s pink jacket.
“Anita was wearing a pink zip-up jacket which we believe she had on immediately prior to the incident. The missing jacket is described as waterproof in material and believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly from Regatta.
“To help with this, we are now releasing a map detailing the route we believe Anita walked on Wednesday morning.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who saw anything on Wednesday in these areas, or anyone travelling on trains towards Ipswich or Manningtree on that morning who saw anything that they think might be useful to the police investigation. We are also keen to speak to anyone living in the area that has CCTV or doorbell cameras.
“I am extremely grateful for the support the community and the media have given us so far. This assistance we receive is absolutely key.”