Police have urged train passengers to come forward with information after a mother-of-six was found unconscious with a fatal head injury as the force continued its search for a missing pink jacket the victim was wearing.
A man, 45, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and then re-arrested for murder after Anita Rose tragically died four days after she was found injured.
The 57-year-old mother was was found by a member of the public at around 6.25am on Wednesday by a track near to Rectory Lane in Brantham, Suffolk.
She taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious head injuries, and but tragically died on Sunday.
The suspect has been bailed until October 25, together with a 37-year-old woman from the Ipswich area who was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods in connection with the incident.
CCTV images issued by Suffolk Police of Anita Rose before she was found in Brantham. Police are searching for a missing pink jacket the mother-of-six was wearing
Anita Rose, pictured with her partner Richard Jones, was described as a ‘well known and loved mum’
Police have resumed that search for the missing pink jacket that Ms Rose’s was wearing on her walk. Detective Superintendent Mike Brown described it as being ‘made of a waterproof material and believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly Regatta’
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown, from Suffolk Police’s Major Investigation Team – speaking at the force’s headquarters on Monday, made an appeal for information.
He said officers are looking for a pink jacket that Ms Rose was believed to have been wearing immediately before the incident.
The officer announced that police will be releasing a map showing the route they believe Ms Rose walked, and want to speak to anyone who saw anything on Wednesday in the areas shown on the map.
He said the force are also keen to obtain CCTV footage, and to speak to anyone who was travelling on trains towards Ipswich or Manningtree on that morning who saw anything that may be of use to the investigation.
Mr Brown said: ‘Our investigation team continue to progress a large number of inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding Anita’s injuries and her subsequent death.
‘This work includes house-to-house inquiries, searches at the scene and surrounding areas where Anita was found as well as searching through CCTV footage and ongoing forensic work.
‘We know that Anita had left her house at approximately 5am to take her dog, a springer spaniel named Bruce, for a walk.
‘At approximately 6.25am on Wednesday, a member of the public found Anita laying unconscious on a track near the water treatment works and a railway line off Rectory Lane and called an ambulance.
Aerial view of the footpath between the railway line and the sewage works where Anita Rose was found
Anita Rose tragically died four days after she was found with serious head injuries
‘Officers were then called by the East of England Ambulance Service shortly after 8am.’
He said Ms Rose was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge having sustained ‘serious head injuries’, and she died on Sunday morning.
Speaking about the missing jacket, Mr Brown described it as being ‘made of a waterproof material and believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly Regatta.’
The appeal for witnesses comes after Ms Rose’s family paid tribute to the ‘well known and loved mum’ as police hold a man, 45, on suspicion of murder.
They said she was ‘brutally taken from us devastatingly too early, and we have been robbed of so much time with her’.
Anita Rose’s son Ash Rose has posted an appeal on Facebook for the public to help police with their investigation.
He wrote: ‘The person responsible for doing this to my mum and my children’s Grandma is still out there!
‘Our family appreciates the kind words but please please SHARE and SPEAK to friends or family who may know something no matter how small or insignificant they think it might be and please urge them to contact the police. Thank you.’
Police searching the local area. The force have urged train passengers to come forward with information
Officers on the scene where the dog walker was reportedly attacked in Brantham, Suffolk
A view of the footpath between the railway line and the sewage works where Anita was found
And her partner Richard Jones posted: ‘This was my beautiful Anita absolute heartbroken love you always and forever in my heart.’
In addition, a touching tribute issued by her family read: ‘Our mum was well known and loved in the community.
Anita Rose’s son Ash Rose has posted an appeal on Facebook for the public to help police with their investigation
‘She was brutally taken from us devastatingly too early, and we have been robbed of so much time with her.
‘She wasn’t just a mum of six, she was also a grandma to 13, a long-term partner, a mother-in-law and a special friend to so many.
‘Someone somewhere must know something, and we urge them to come forward. We want to thank everyone for their love and support. All we ask is for everyone to cherish their time with their family and loved ones.’
A 45-year-old man was arrested Saturday afternoon on suspicion of attempted murder and was taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
He has since been re-arrested on suspicion of murder, Suffolk Police said.
A 37-year-old woman from the Ipswich area was also arrested on Saturday on suspicion of handling stolen goods in connection with the incident.
The pair have since been released on police bail with conditions to return on October 25.
Police combing the scene where Ms Rose, 57, was discovered on Wednesday morning
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said: ‘This is a very serious incident following which Anita has now sadly died of her injuries.
‘The family continue to be supported by specially trained police officers as part of the investigation.’
‘The investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding the offence continues, as do enquiries to establish the cause of death. Though I can now confirm that the scene has been lifted on Rectory Lane.
‘Local residents should expect to see a continued police presence over the next few days while enquiries take place, while additional officers will also be in the area to provide reassurance to the local community.
‘Whilst searches and house to house enquiries take place, we are keen to speak to anyone who saw anything that they think might be useful to the police investigation on Wednesday and anyone living in the area that has CCTV or doorbell cameras.’
Police on the country track where Ms Rose was discovered on Wednesday at around 6.30am
Police have found a iPhone they were searching for but have so far been unable to locate the pink zip-up jacket officers believe Ms Rose was wearing.
Following the incident, anxious Brantham residents have spoken of their fears of returning to the usually ‘safe and peaceful’ countryside path.
Bradley James, 28, a tractor driver who lives in the area, said: ‘Dog walkers always use these paths.
‘It’s quite tragic, really – you don’t get anything like that happening in this village.
‘A lot of people are a bit nervous to go walking their dogs. My mum is scared because you don’t know what’s going on.’
Ian Swan, 58, from nearby Mistley, added: ‘It always seems very safe down there usually.
‘There’s plenty of people around – I’ve never been out here and not met someone. But I’ve never heard of any problems down here.’
Police on the scene on a country track in Brantham, Suffolk, after the attack
Rosie Rawlinson said she walked her dogs three to four times a day along the route but ‘absolutely’ felt she could continue doing so.
She said: ‘Nothing like this has ever happened like this in the four and a half years I’ve been here. I was scared this morning on my early walk, I must admit.’
Simon Harley, a councillor on Suffolk County Council, added: ‘I am of course shocked and saddened by this incident and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family.
‘Brantham is normally such a safe and peaceful place with amazing people, and I am sure this incident is a one-off, but I would urge people to take sensible precautions at this time.’
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.
You are also able to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
