Brantham murder detectives appeal to Ipswich train passengers

Police investigating the murder of a dog walker have appealed to train passengers to help.

Anita Rose, 57, was found with serious head injuries on a track near a railway line in Brantham, near Ipswich, at 06:25 BST on Wednesday.

She died in Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge on Sunday. A 45-year-old man from Ipswich – already arrested on suspicion of attempted murder – was re-arrested on suspicion of murder.

At a media conference, Suffolk Police appealed for train passengers who may have seen something suspicious as they passed by to get in touch.

Det Supt Mike Brown, from Suffolk Police’s Major Investigation Team, said he was “keen” to speak to “anyone travelling on trains towards Ipswich or Manningtree on that morning”.

Officers are also trying to find a pink zip-up jacket Ms Rose was wearing at the time of the attack.

They were previously searching for her Apple iPhone, but it has since been located.

A detailed map of Ms Rose’s route that officers believe she took before the incident has now been published.

Det Supt Brown said he hoped the map could helped find her missing jacket.

“I am extremely grateful for the support the community and the media have given us so far,” he added.

“This assistance we receive is absolutely key.”

It is believed Ms Rose left her home at about 05:00 BST to walk her springer spaniel Bruce.

Members of the public who found her rang the ambulance service, who then called the police.

A cordon was put in place shortly after 08:00 BST. Officers are still in the area conducting investigations.

In a tribute, Ms Rose’s family said she was “loved in the community” and they had been “robbed of so much time with her”.

Residents in the village described their shock at what had happened, with many saying they felt worried about walking in the area.

A 37-year-old woman from the Ipswich area was also arrested on Saturday on suspicion of handling stolen goods in connected with the incident.

Both the woman and the 45-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on police bail with conditions to return on 25 October.