Police today searched two new ‘locations of interest’ over the murder of mother-of-six Anita Rose as they continue to hunt for the pink jacket she was wearing.
Three people have been arrested after the 57-year-old dog walker was found injured and unconscious with head injuries in the Suffolk village of Brantham on July 24.
She had left home to take her springer spaniel Bruce for a walk at about 5am before being discovered near Rectory Lane by a member of the public at about 6.25am.
The East of England Ambulance Service called Suffolk Police shortly after 8am and she was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where she died on July 28.
Now, detectives say they have identified ‘two further locations of interest’ in the Newmill Lane area of the village and cordons were put in place yesterday.
Anita Rose was found unconscious near a train line after taking her dog for a walk on July 24
Police officers search fields in Brantham, Suffolk, on July 29, near where Anita Rose was found
Anita Rose had gone on a walk with her beloved springer spaniel Bruce (pictured)
They said there will be a continued police presence in the area as officers carry out further inquiries as they continue to search for the jacket she was wearing.
The pink jacket is a zip-up, waterproof jacket and is believed to be from an outdoor clothing brand, possibly Regatta.
Three people have been arrested in connection with Ms Rose’s death after she was found on an isolated track.
A man in his 20s from Brantham was arrested on suspicion of murder last Wednesday and bailed on Saturday until October 24.
A 45-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and later re-arrested on suspicion of murder, and a 37-year-old woman was held on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
Both of these people, who are from Ipswich, have been released on police bail, with conditions to return on October 25.
Anita Rose took her dog for a walk at about 5am on July 28 and was found at about 6.25am
CCTV images issued by Suffolk Police of Anita Rose before she was found in Brantham
An aerial view of the footpath between the railway line and sewage works where she was found
A Home Office post-mortem examination has been carried out but failed to establish the cause of Ms Rose’s death, with further tests now being carried out.
Police said after the post-mortem that officers were continuing to investigate the case as murder.
Ms Rose’s son Ash Rose posted an appeal on Facebook last week for the public to help police with their investigation.
He wrote: ‘The person responsible for doing this to my mum and my children’s Granma 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.’
And her partner Richard Jones posted: ‘This was my beautiful Anita absolute heartbroken love you always and forever in my heart.’
Anita Rose, pictured with her partner Richard Jones, was described as ‘well known and loved’
Anita Rose tragically died four days after she was found with serious head injuries
In addition, a touching tribute issued by her family read: ‘Our mum was well known and loved in the community.
‘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.’
Detectives have urged local residents with CCTV or doorbell cameras to review their footage.
They also asked passengers travelling on trains towards Ipswich, Colchester or Manningtree on the morning of July 24 who may have seen anything suspicious to contact the force.
Officers on the scene where the dog walker was reportedly attacked in Brantham last month
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.’
Rosie Rawlinson said she walked her dogs three or four times a day along the route, adding: ‘Nothing like this has ever happened in the four and a half years I’ve been here.
‘I was scared this morning on my early walk, I must admit.’
A view of the path between the railway line and the sewage works where Anita Rose was found
It comes after actor Laurence Fox referenced the case in a string of claims posted online in recent days amid the riots being held across the UK.
On Friday night, he posted a list of dozens of acts of violence he alleged had been committed by immigrants under the caption: ‘Anyone else had enough?’
Among them was the claim that a ‘woman [was] beaten to death by two Somalis while walking her dog’ – understood to have been a reference to Ms Rose’s murder.
But Suffolk Police last night confirmed Fox’s tweet was not correct.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Suffolk Police quoting 37/41580/24 or by phoning 101. Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111
