Edna Harvey murder: Police re-appeal after 30 years

No-one has been caught over Edna Harvey's death

Detectives are renewing their appeal for information after an 87-year-old woman was strangled and her body set alight on her mattress 30 years ago.

Edna Harvey was found dead in her ground floor flat in Finchley Road, Ipswich, on 28 August 1984.

Evidence showed the property had been searched but it was unclear if anything had been stolen.

It is hoped advances in technology and forensics will lead to finding the killer, police said.

Thirty years on, the case is being reviewed again by the Norfolk and Suffolk major investigation team.

Det Insp Eamonn Bridger said: "This was a tragic case where a frail elderly lady was attacked in her home.

"The motive may have been that this was a burglary which went horribly wrong, but we keep an open mind.

"Edna lived a relatively reclusive lifestyle due to poor eyesight and didn't possess anything of any real value.

'Tragic case'

"At her age and stature, she wouldn't have been able to have put up much of a fight against her attacker."

Neighbours contacted the fire service just after midnight after seeing smoke coming out of the front door of Ms Harvey's flat.

When extinguished, her body was found on her mattress in her bedroom.

A post-mortem examination found she died from asphyxiation before she was set alight.

No-one has been brought to justice over the death.

Suffolk Police is keen to trace two men who were seen running from the direction of Edna's home, down Finchley Road and along Cemetery Road, towards the town centre.

Officers would also like to speak to anyone who may have seen what happened between 23.45 BST on 27 August 1984 - the Bank Holiday Monday - and 00.25 BST the next day.