Pensioner's murder appeal renewed

A post-mortem revealed Mrs Roddam was suffocated

One year after the murder of an elderly woman in Cornwall, the police are appealing for help.

The body of 74-year-old Joan Roddam was found at her isolated bungalow near Delabole on 8 November 2003.

Police believe Mrs Joan Roddam was asphyxiated in her home and then her body was taken outside and hidden in a nearby field.

Officers have been handing out leaflets in the area and say it is never too late to come forward with information.

Positive outcome

A team of both uniformed and CID officers is continuing the investigation, and forensic tests which were taken at the time are still being processed.

Mrs Roddam's husband died in 1997. She lived alone with her three cats.

There was no apparent sign of forced entry at Mrs Roddam's bungalow, so police think she may have known her murderer.

Nearly 1,000 households have been visited and 1,249 written statements taken in the year-long investigation.

But senior officers say they are still confident there will be a positive outcome to their inquiries.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Kevin Harris said: "Modern murder investigations are extremely complicated and enquiries have to be made in a considered manner if the evidence obtained is to remain admissible in court.

"The communities of north Cornwall have provided us with a lot of information so far and we are grateful for that co-operation.

"Local officers continue to liaise with other agencies and community leaders in an effort to provide reassurance to the people living in this area.

"I must stress, however, that information is still welcome."