Fear in murder village

Mrs Roddam's body was found in a field behind her home

Some elderly residents in the Delabole area are living in fear because the murderer of pensioner Joan Roddam has not been caught, according to a local vicar.

The 74-year-old widow was found suffocated outside her bungalow at West Downs more than six weeks ago.

Reverend Canon Sherry Bryan, the priest in charge of St Teath, said some villagers were living behind locked doors and were afraid to come out.

She said police signs appealing for information were keeping the event in the forefront of people's minds.

She said: "It is rather alarming, and people are aware in a way that they would not have been before that they can't do exactly as they want and be safe all the time."

No struggle

Mrs Roddam was found murdered in a field behind her home after a friend of the family reported they had been unable to contact her.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died from asphyxiation and suffocation, but there were no signs of a struggle or excessive violence.

A police team based at Launceston has interviewed 600 people and taken more than 300 statements during its investigations.

Police said there did not appear to be any sign of forced entry at the bungalow, so they think Mrs Roddam knew who her murderer was.

Mrs Roddam's husband died six years ago and she lived alone with her three cats.