Rose Johnston, 68, was found dead at her home following a blunt-force head injury. The murder has confounded police, who have urged anyone with information to come forward with ‘no comeback’
A £20,000 reward is on offer to help find the killer of a ‘kind and compassionate’ grandma found dead in her home having suffered a blunt-force head injury’. Rose Johnston, 68, gave up her time volunteering to help people with special educational needs, and her family said “We can’t understand who would want to hurt her.”
On Friday, Merseyside Police declared a £20,000 reward, courtesy of independent charity Crimestoppers, for information leading to the apprehension of those accountable for the heinous crime. Rose was found with a severe head injury inflicted by a blunt object at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on Saturday, October 4, shortly after 12.30pm.
Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Walsh implored: “Someone must have answers and I urge them to come forward and speak to us.
“Rose was a loving and caring mum and grandma, and her family are absolutely devastated by what’s happened.
“It’s absolutely vital that we get the answers to understand what has happened to Rose.”
In a heartfelt tribute following her tragic demise, Mrs Johnston’s family painted a picture of an adult education tutor who volunteered to help people with special educational needs, describing her as “kind, caring, compassionate, friendly, unassuming and gentle”.
The family expressed their bewilderment, stating: “We just can’t understand who would want to hurt her this way.”
Despite conducting witness interviews, house-to-house inquiries, CCTV analysis, and forensic investigations, detectives maintain they are “keeping an open mind” regarding the motive behind Mrs Johnston’s murder.
The force is urging anyone who saw her, or noticed any suspicious activity, in the vicinity of her Ancroft Road home between October 3, when she was last seen in the early hours, and the subsequent day, to come forward with information.
Gary Murray, North West regional manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Rose was a caring and generous woman who dedicated her life to her family and to others. Her murder has shocked the local community and her family deserve answers.
“We know that people often stay silent if they know something about serious crime like this out of fear or because they don’t want to get involved. But Crimestoppers offers a completely safe and anonymous way to speak up.
“You can contact our charity, which is independent of the police, and will never be asked about your personal details. We can’t trace your call or online form, and you’ll remain 100% anonymous. That means no comeback.
“If you know what happened to Rose, or have suspicions about who is responsible, please let us know.”
The reward is available for information received exclusively by Crimestoppers, which can be contacted online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.
Information can also be passed to Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC on X and Facebook, by calling 101 or at www.merseyside.police.uk..
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