57-Year-Old Anita Rose Died after Walking Dog in the Park – Details

A violent incident in a quiet Suffolk village has ended with a conviction, bringing justice for a woman whose routine morning walk turned fatal.

Anita Rose, a 57-year-old woman from Brantham, Suffolk, was murdered during her early morning dog walk on July 24, 2024, on a footpath near the London–Ipswich railway line. Nearly one year later, on July 9, 2025, a jury found Roy Barclay guilty, in a case that raised community safety concerns and caused local grief.

Almost a year ago, Rose left her home in Brantham, Suffolk, at around 5 a.m. BST with her dog for a regular morning walk. At approximately 6:15 a.m., her long-time partner, Richard Jones, attempted to call her, but the screen remained black and soundless.

Thinking this was "very odd," he tried several more times to no avail. Unfortunately, his partner was found at 6:25 a.m. on a footpath off Rectory Lane beside the railway line overlooking the River Stour.

According to the prosecutors, the victim was alive when she was discovered, but with "numerous kicks, stamps and blows" to her entire body and her dog's leash wrapped around one leg. She was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, but despite medical efforts, Rose died four days later.

Some of the evidence presented to the jury included Barclay's DNA, which was found on Rose's missing jacket and earbuds, and he was also seen on surveillance clips.

Additionally, the officials stated that he had kept some of her things as keepsakes, and her phone was discovered in his campsite.

At the time of the murder, Barclay was on the run from authorities for violating the conditions of his license, as he had been in jail previously for assaulting an 82-year-old in Essex a decade earlier. He was also living in a makeshift camp in the area.

In his defense, attorneys questioned why Barclay would have kept any of her items, given that police had publicly appealed for them online. They also argued that being seen on CCTV in Brantham was not of significance, considering he kept his things there.

However, the footage, which was released online, places him close to the victim. In the clips, Rose can be seen walking with her dog through a countryside road, surrounded by vegetation for most of the path.

At one point, a man, now identified as Barclay, is seen wearing a jacket with the hood up while walking in the opposite direction from Rose and her dog. Moments later, he turns around.

Upon its release on July 9, the footage ignited a wave of reactions online.

One person wrote, "This is utterly terrifying 😢. Can't even enjoy a walk in peace anymore!" Another reacted, "What a sadistic individual,hope he never gets out for the rest of his life 😢😢 [sic]."

A third commented, "This is why we need cameras everywhere. RIP that poor woman." And one observed, "The way he just turns around and calmly walks towards her having made up his mind is just horrifying [sic]."

Despite the defense's arguments, the jury didn't hesitate with their verdict. After approximately two hours of deliberation, they unanimously convicted the 56-year-old of murder, although he had originally denied the charges against him. As the verdict was read, the man remained completely stoic.

In contrast, Jones couldn't contain his emotions while leaving the courtroom. During the proceedings, he shared that his final conversation with Rose took place on the morning of the attack. "OK babe, drive safe, I love you," were the last words she ever said to him.

Meanwhile, Judge Martyn Levett told Barclay that he needed to be ready for a harsh sentence, which is expected to be handed down on August 6.

"It will be a lengthy sentence, and you need to prepare yourself for that," the judge said. After the trial, several officials praised the investigative work and condemned the murderer's actions.

Detective Superintendent Mike Brown said, "This was a brutal attack on a lone woman on the outskirts of a peaceful village. We may never fully understand the motive behind it, and our thoughts remain firmly with Anita's family."

Nicola Page from the Crown Prosecution Service added that Barclay committed "an act of terrifying senselessness." She further explained that he had "made it his mission to deceive the investigation" and believed he was "too cunning to be caught," but the verdict proved him wrong.

Furthermore, Rose's daughter, Jessica Cox, spoke to the press outside the courtroom. While reading a statement, she called her mother a "strong, brave, vibrant woman" who loved her life in Brantham and normally felt safe.

Cox expressed that they would always cherish Rose's memory and the positive impact she had on everyone's lives. She conveyed the profound sadness that her mother's life was cut short so tragically and unexpectedly.

She also thanked the community for their support and the jury for handing down a "unanimous guilty verdict" based on the evidence presented at trial.