Dog walker Anita Rose, 57, is in critical condition in hospital after being found with head injuries on a country lane in Suffolk. Detectives are treating the incident as an attempted murder and are actively searching for her missing pink jacket.
Anita Rose (Courtesy of Police)
A woman is facing a life-threatening condition after she was apparently attacked while walking her dog, and detectives say the disappearance of her distinctive pink jacket is key to their investigation.
Anita Rose, 57, was found collapsed on a country lane off Rectory Lane, Bransham, Suffolk, at 6.25am last Wednesday with serious head injuries, and her dog next to her, who was uninjured. Detectives are treating the incident as an attempted murder.
The victim was seen on a doorbell camera wearing a pink zip-up jacket shortly after leaving her home at 5 a.m., but when she was discovered 90 minutes later the jacket was gone and her Apple iPhone had been stolen.
Rose, believed to be from Brantham, was treated by paramedics and then taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where she remains in a critical condition. Suffolk Police said today: “Detectives are doing all they can to establish how Anita sustained her injuries and are investigating the incident as an attempted murder.”
“The missing pink zip-up jacket is believed to be made of waterproof material and is a product of an outdoor clothing brand, possibly Regatta. Police believe the missing jacket and iPhone may contain vital information and evidence for the investigation.”
“Police are carrying out numerous investigations, including forensic work, searches, house-to-house visits and CCTV analysis. Officers continue to be present at the scene and engaging with the local community and we would like to thank the public and media for their assistance with the investigation so far. Specialist officers are supporting Anita’s family and keeping them updated on the investigation at this heartbreaking time.”
Detectives are trying to locate Rose’s pink jacket (courtesy of police) Rose sustained the injuries while walking her dog (courtesy of police)
Anita’s children said in a statement: “Our mother was a local woman who walked her dog every day. Our family is heartbroken and we are grateful for the support so far. We would urge anyone with information to contact police.” Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said of the missing jacket: “It wasn’t there when she was found and we need to understand where it is. We believe she also had an iPhone but that has not been found yet. What evidence these items contain will be key in establishing what happened.”
Detective Superintendent Brown said Rose was “a local resident” who would wake up early in the morning to walk along a “well-used and well-known route”. She was first spotted by a man cycling to work who called 999 and a woman passing by stopped to help. The superintendent added that Rose was sedated in hospital with a “relative” and had not regained consciousness. Detective Superintendent Brown said Rose had suffered “severe head and brain injuries”.
Superintendent Brown added: “We still haven’t established what caused her injuries. We need to look at all possibilities. It’s extremely rare to find someone in these circumstances so we need to bring all our resources to the scene, so there’s a lot of activity at the scene.” He confirmed police were still investigating as an attempted murder case, saying: “This is a really big step forward.”
But he added: “We cannot say for sure whether there was a third party involved, but it would not be wise to rule it out.” Alastair McCraw, who represents Brantham on Babergh District Council, said: “Obviously everyone in the village is shocked by this incident and Brantham sends his best wishes to the victim and hopes she makes a full recovery. If anyone knows anything they should report it directly to police using the referrals provided.”
“In the meantime, it is best to avoid speculation on social media to allow police to do their job. Please stay safe and look out for each other.” Local councillor Simon Hurley, from Suffolk County Council, added: “Obviously I am shocked and saddened by this incident and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim and her family.”
“Brantham is normally a safe and peaceful place with lovely people and whilst we are confident that this is a one-off incident we would urge everyone to take sensible precautions now.” The area where Rose was attacked remains sealed off by police and officers are continuing to search the nearby undergrowth. The area close to the River Stour is full of footpaths which are popular with dog walkers from Brantham village and further afield.
“It’s absolutely horrifying, absolutely awful. It’s a beautiful place. You walk around and you don’t see anyone, or if you do, it’s the same people who always come here,” said one woman walking her dog nearby. Her husband added: “Just farmers, farm workers and dog walkers – no one else. A few years ago I saw a naked man walking down the path but he was more of a naturist than an exhibitionist.”
Insurance worker Ian Swan, 58, who lives in nearby Mistry and was walking his dog there, said: “It’s a lovely area and always seems very safe. There are lots of people around and I’ve never heard of any trouble. It’s really quiet.” Tractor driver Bradley James, 28, said: “The woman was found in an area where the road narrows and is a bit overgrown. On one side there is the railway embankment and railway tracks and on the other there is a sewerage works with a big gate.”
“The rest of the road is very open next to fields but it’s hidden by trees and quiet – it’s like a blind spot. We don’t know who that woman is. It’s really tragic – we’ve never heard of anything like this around here. It’s caused huge upset in the local area and lots of people are worried about coming up there with their dogs. My mother uses to walk that road a lot but now she says she doesn’t want to go there anymore.”
