A third person has been arrested in connection with the death of dog walker Anita Rose, after a post-mortem failed to determine a cause of death for the mother-of-six.
The man, who is in his 20s, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Wednesday – a week after Ms Rose was found injured and unconscious after taking her dog for a walk near Rectory Lane in Brantham.
Police believe Ms Rose, 57, left her house to take her springer spaniel named Bruce for a walk at around 5am on July 24.
She was found by a member of the public at around 6.25am and taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge with serious head injuries, where she died on Sunday.
The man, who is from Brantham, was taken to the Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning and remains in custody.
His arrest comes on the same day that the force defended a decision to release one suspect on bail as a post mortem failed to establish her cause of death.
He is the third person to be arrested in connection with Ms Rose’s death after two people from Ipswich were arrested on Saturday, including a 45-year-old man held on suspicion of attempted murder and later re-arrested on suspicion of murder.
Anita Rose died four days after she was found unconscious on a usually ‘safe and peaceful’ countryside path near to Rectory Lane in Brantham, Suffolk, last Wednesday
Police were seen searching fields on Monday, July 29, near to where Ms Rose was found and arrested a third person on suspicion of murder on Wednesday
Anita Rose, 57, was found near to Rectory Lane, Brantham, along a footpath (above)
A 37-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and both have since been released on police bail, with conditions to return on October 25.
A Home Office post-mortem examination failed to establish the cause of Ms Rose’s death on Tuesday, after which Suffolk Police said it was continuing to investigate the case as a murder.
Detective Superintendent Mike Brown praised the public for engaging with officers regarding the investigation, and issued another appeal for information.
He said: ‘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.’
Police also confirmed that a post-mortem by a Home Office pathologist on Monday had failed to establish how the much loved grandmother had died. Further tests are due to be carried out to find out her exact cause of death.
But detectives say that the death of Ms Rose is still being investigated as a murder by the force’s Major Investigation Team.
CCTV images issued by Suffolk Police of Ms Rose before she was found in Brantham
Anita Rose, pictured with her partner Richard Jones, was described as a ‘loved mum’
Ms Rose had gone on a walk with her beloved springer spaniel Bruce (pictured), who ‘heroically stayed with her and alerted passers by’
Mr Brown said: ‘Officers are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding Anita’s death. We will pursue all lines of enquiry to understand what led up to this event.
‘Our thoughts, as always, remain with Anita’s family at this incredibly difficult time.
‘We completely understand and empathise with the concern some members of the Brantham community have expressed about the fact a male who has been arrested on suspicion of murder was subsequently bailed.
‘It is important to understand that at times it may be necessary to make arrests in serious and complex investigations based on the evidence available at that time to fully understand the role individuals may have played in any offences identified.
‘As such, a person’s status in an investigation may change as the case develops which may result in options such as bail being used.
‘We remain in close liaison with our other relevant community groups and representatives and repeat what we have said previously that we are working extremely hard to find out who was responsible.’
Police have urged local residents with CCTV or doorbell cameras to review their footage and passengers travelling on trains towards Ipswich, Colchester or Manningtree on the morning Wednesday July 24, who may have seen anything suspicious to contact the force.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the investigation team at Suffolk Police quoting 37/41580/24 or by phoning 101.
