A 92-year-old man has been charged with the rape and murder of a 75-year-old woman in 1967. Avon and Somerset Police confirmed the charges today, 24 hours after the man was arrested. Ryan Headley, of Clarence Road, Ipswich, was charged by officers overnight with the murder of Louisa Dunne and is set to appear at Bristol Magistrates’ Court later today via video link.
Ms Dunne’s body was found by her neighbour inside her home in Bristol in June 1967. At the time, the cause of death was ruled as strangulation and asphyxiation. Detective Inspector Dave Marchant said: “This development marks a hugely significant moment in this investigation. Now criminal proceedings are under way it’s important to stress the defendant has the right to a fair trial.
(Image: PA)
“Any speculation or misinformation on the circumstances of this case has the potential to prejudice these ongoing proceedings. We’ve updated Louisa’s family about this charging decision and a specialist liaison officer will continue to support them in the coming days, weeks and months.”
In an earlier statement, when the arrest was made, DI Marchant said: “We recognise this will also come as a shock to the community in Easton. While this tragic incident happened a long time ago, there will be people who remember what happened and may have had a connection with Louisa through family or friends. The Neighbourhood Policing Team are carrying out patrols of the area, so please speak to an officer if you have any worries or concerns.
“As this investigation is at a critical phase and to protect the integrity of any future criminal proceedings, we won’t be able to confirm the full details, but we are absolutely committed to continue carrying out a thorough investigation to try and bring Louisa’s relatives the answers they’ve waited a lifetime for.”
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