British police have identified two potential suspects in the rural murder of a mother of six, who was found with severe head injuries in a dog park in July. Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said CCTV footage and discussions with nearby residents had “narrowed down” their options and identified two people investigators are keen to speak to, though he emphasized they are only wanted for questioning at this point.
Police published photographs of two men spotted at the scene when 57-year-old Anita Rose walked her dog at the park in Brantham, Suffolk. Fellow dog walkers found Rose lying unconscious and called paramedics. The mother of six was transported to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where she died four days later, prompting police to launch a major murder inquiry.
Officers recovered the victim’s iPhone from the scene, but oddly, the phone’s case was missing. Ms. Rose’s zip-up bright pink Regatta Calderdale II jacket had also disappeared. Photographs of the two items were issued by police, one showing the black iPhone case adorned with a gold crown and studs.
The killing, which occurred in a small village in rural England, was met with fury and online speculation that an immigrant was responsible. When two people – a man and a woman – were arrested for questioning but later released, police took the highly unusual decision to publicly rebuke speculation that they were Somali immigrants. In a statement, Suffolk police acknowledged that they would not typically speak out about online rumors, saying, “the only reason we have in this instance is because it’s a dangerous piece of misinformation.”
Local residents say the murder has had a devastating impact on the village and that people now walk their dogs in groups, fearing for their safety. The Rev Chris Willis, vicar of the village church of St Michael’s, said Rose’s family had been through a terrible ordeal. “They’re lovely people, very close, and they just don’t deserve to be going through what they’re going through,” he said.
Police have interviewed more than 600 people in the course of the investigation and arrested individuals on charges of handling stolen goods connected to the case. Investigations are ongoing.
