Murderer Ryland Headley, 92, to be investigated over cold cases

A person jailed for all times for the rape and homicide of a lady 58 years in the past shall be thought-about as a suspect in a number of unsolved chilly instances, police have confirmed.

Ryland Headley, 92, was convicted of raping and murdering Louisa Dunne in 1967 after breaking into her residence in Bristol.

The joint Norfolk and Suffolk Main Investigation Group (MIT) mentioned it might perform “in depth inquiries” into Headley’s actions since he moved to Ipswich within the early Nineteen Seventies.

The previous railway employee was advised he would serve a minimal time period of 20 years in jail at Bristol Crown Court docket on Tuesday and would “by no means be launched”.

The choose, Mr Justice Sweeting, mentioned the attack on Mrs Dunne was “pitiless and merciless” and that Headley, of Ipswich, Suffolk, had proven “no regret” for his actions.

Justice Sweeting advised the court docket Headley had been planning to rape the 75-year-old widow, who lived alone.

Then aged 34, he broke into her residence and “brutally” attacked her earlier than fatally strangling her.

For nearly six a long time, Headley evaded justice for the crime earlier than chilly case detectives at Avon and Somerset Police despatched gadgets for forensic evaluation final 12 months – leading to a DNA match.

The power assessed the case’s proof archives in 2023 and located the skirt Mrs Dunne was carrying on the time of the assault.

After it was despatched for forensic testing, a full DNA profile was obtained and indicated a “billion to one” match to Headley.

In 1977, Headley was sentenced to life imprisonment after his fingerprint linked him to the rape of a 79-year-old widow in Ipswich – and he admitted a second rape on an 84-year-old widow within the city.

That sentence was later lowered to seven years following an enchantment, with Headley serving about two years earlier than being launched from jail.

He was nonetheless residing in Clarence Street, Ipswich, when Avon and Somerset officers arrested him on suspicion of Mrs Dunne’s rape and homicide in November 2024.

Suffolk Police mentioned: “Following Ryland Headley’s conviction for homicide occurring in Bristol in 1967, coupled with the actual fact he was beforehand convicted of stranger rape offences in Ipswich within the Nineteen Seventies, there have understandably been inquiries speculating as to his potential involvement in different unsolved murder and stranger rape instances, notably these which have occurred inside Suffolk.

“He’ll now be a consideration in a number of unsolved case critiques throughout Suffolk and the MIT stay open to any credible new data offered on this regard.”

The power mentioned it might be “inappropriate” to touch upon particular instances, given the crimes have been “topic to evaluation and potential reinvestigation”.

“We’re conscious that over time allegiances and views change, and if anybody has any data – nonetheless small it could appear – that would help our inquiries, please contact the joint MIT’s unsolved case group,” Suffolk Police mentioned.

Louisa Dunne’s case is considered the UK’s longest-running chilly case to be solved.