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Detectives investigating the murder of Anita Rose have made an appeal on the BBC’s Crimewatch Live programme. The appeal follows the announcement that the charity Crimestoppers, which is independent to the police, is offering a £20,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her death.
Anita, aged 57, had left her house at around 5am on Wednesday July 24, 2024 to take her springer spaniel dog, Bruce, for a walk but was found critically injured by a member of public at approximately 625am in the village of Brantham, Suffolk.
Police are releasing new CCTV footage of Anita on the morning she was attacked on the start of her walk at Palfrey Heights at around 5am, and later walking on Rectory Lane at 5.17am. In the footage Anita is wearing dark leggings, trainers and a pink jacket, which detectives have since confirmed is a discontinued cerise-coloured Regatta Calderdale II jacket
She was later found by a male cyclist lying on a track road near the sewage works and railway line, off Rectory Lane, unconscious and he called an ambulance. With her jacket taken, she was found wearing only her bra on her top half, as well as leggings and trainers on her lower half, with Bruce’s lead wrapped around her leg. The dog was not harmed.
Anita was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital having sustained serious head injury and facial injuries, where she sadly died four days later on Sunday, July 28.
Anita’s pink Regatta jacket, black phone case which is described as quilted with a gold crown and stud detail, and white Samsung Galaxy Buds2 earphones all remain missing, and detectives continue to appeal for information relating to these items as they may hold key information or evidence to the investigation.
A potential witness remains unidentified and police are keen to trace a man seen on CCTV on the morning of the attack, as it is believed that he may be able to assist with the inquiry. This man is not believed to be a suspect and is pictured below.
Detective Chief Inspector Matthew Connick, the senior investigating officer, said: “It was a light morning and Anita was seen on CCTV wearing a distinctive, brightly coloured jacket during her walk. She was not wearing this when she was found injured by the member of public and we do not know why this was removed or where it is now.
“We continue to investigate all possible motives for the attack, and from our enquiries so far there is nothing to suggest that Anita was sexually assaulted. We know Anita used an app on her phone that enabled her to track the route she was taking around the village. She and Bruce walked in a north easterly direction from Palfrey Heights, circled the church and walked south of Rectory Lane into the open countryside.
“She then followed a path along the railway line that runs through Brantham until she turned right towards the top of Newmill Lane. Anita followed Newmill Lane down to the river and doubled back to the top of Newmill Lane where she stopped her app at 6:03am, having walked approximately three miles.
“We know from previous walks that this is the same location where Anita has previously stopped the app and we believe she then retraced her steps away from Newmill Lane with the intent to finish her walk via Decoy Pond but was subject to an attack before she was able to reach it.”
Extensive enquiries have taken place since the incident, including forensic work, searches, house-to-house enquiries and CCTV analysis. Specialist officers continue to support Anita’s family and are keeping them updated on the investigation during this distressing time.”
DCI Connick added: “I’d like to express my thanks to all those who have come forward with information so far and encourage anyone else who can help with our investigation to please contact police if you haven’t already done so. Anita’s family deserve answers and anyone with information, no matter how big, small or even irrelevant it may initially seem, are urged to contact us as it may assist us to establish the full circumstances surrounding Anita’s injuries and subsequent death.”
Anyone who recognises the unidentified potential witness from the CCTV image, or has any information that may assist with this inquiry is asked to contact the Major Investigation Team, either via the online portal or by telephone on 0800 0516076. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555111, or via their online form.
Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Anita’s death. The reward is only payable for information passed directly to Crimestoppers, rather than the police. With Crimestoppers, computer IP addresses are never traced. Telephone calls are never recorded, there is no caller line display and no 1471 facility.
The Crimewatch appeal can be viewed on BBC iPlayer for the next 28 days here.