A 92-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and rape over the unsolved killing of a woman in 1967.
Louisa Dunne, 75, was strangled to death almost six decades ago in her home in Bristol after being sexually assaulted.
On Tuesday, Avon and Somerset Police said a man had been arrested in connection with her death in Ipswich, Suffolk, and had been taken into custody for questioning.
Police said the arrest had come following a review of the case in 2023, during which there was further forensic examination of items relating to the case.
Ms Dunne was found dead in her home on Britannia Road, Easton, by a neighbour on Wednesday, June 28, 1967.
Her cause of death was later determined to be strangulation and asphyxiation. She had also been raped.
Ms Dunne’s cause of death was determined to be strangulation and asphyxiation
Detective Inspector Dave Marchant said: “This is an extremely significant moment in an appalling and distressing case which has remained unsolved for almost six decades.
“We’ve identified and spoken to Louisa Dunne’s next of kin to update them on this development and specialist family liaison officers will now be supporting them – to keep them updated on the progress of our investigation but also to ensure they get access to any specialist support they may need.
“An arrest was made earlier today by officers from Avon and Somerset Police and there will be operational police activity in the Ipswich area as a result. We’d like to thank our colleagues in Suffolk Police for their ongoing help and support.”
DI Marchant said he “recognised the arrest would come as a shock to the community in Easton”.
He added: “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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