57-Year-Old Anita Rose Died after Walking Dog in the Park – Details
A woman whose daily morning stroll turned deadly has found justice after a violent encounter in a peaceful Suffolk village resulted in a conviction.
On July 24, 2024, Anita Rose, 57, of Brantham, Suffolk, was killed while out on an early morning dog walk on a sidewalk close to the London–Ipswich train line.
Roy Barclay was found guilty by a jury on July 9, 2025, about a year later.
This case generated local sorrow and sparked worries about community safety.
Rose and her dog left their Brantham, Suffolk, home at around five in the morning BST for their daily morning stroll nearly a year ago.
Richard Jones, her longtime partner, tried to call her at around 6:15 a.m., but the screen stayed black and silent.
Perceiving this as “very odd,” he made multiple unsuccessful attempts.
Regretfully, his companion was discovered at 6:25 a.m. on a walkway off Rectory Lane, next to the railroad tracks with a view of the River Stour.
The lady was found alive, but with “numerous kicks, stamps and blows” to her entire body and her dog’s leash wrapped around one leg, the prosecution said.
Rose passed away four days after being brought to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, despite medical efforts.
Barclay’s DNA, which was discovered on Rose’s lost jacket and earbuds, as well as footage of him on surveillance, were among the pieces of evidence shown to the jury.
The authorities also claimed that her phone was found at his campground and that he had retained some of her belongings as mementos.
Barclay had been in jail before for assaulting an 82-year-old in Essex ten years prior, and he was evading authorities for breaking the terms of his license at the time of the murder.
In addition, he was residing nearby in a temporary camp.
Lawyers representing Barclay said that since police had made a public online request for her belongings, he had no reason to keep any of them.
Additionally, they contended that since he stored his belongings in Brantham, being spotted on CCTV there was meaningless.
But the video, which was made public online, shows him near the victim.
In the videos, Rose and her dog are seen strolling along a rural road that is mostly lined with greenery.
At one point, a man—now identified as Barclay—is seen walking away from Rose and her dog while sporting a jacket with the hood up.
He turns around a few moments later.
The video sparked a flurry of internet responses when it was released on July 9.
“This is absolutely terrifying 😢,” one guy said.
No longer able to take a peaceful stroll.”
“What a sadistic person,” said another, “I hope he never escapes for the rest of his life 😢😢.” [sic].
“This is why we need cameras everywhere,” remarked a third.
May that poor woman rest in peace.
And someone commented, “The way he just turns around and calmly walks towards her having made up his mind is just horrifying [sic].”
The jury reached a decision without hesitation in spite of the defense’s arguments.
Despite the 56-year-old’s first denial of the allegations, they unanimously found him guilty of murder after around two hours of deliberation.
The man was utterly unflappable as the decision was read.
Jones, on the other hand, lost control of his emotions as he was exiting the courtroom.
He revealed during the proceedings that the morning of the attack was the day he had his last talk with Rose.
Her final words to him were, “OK babe, drive safely, I love you.”
Judge Martyn Levett informed Barclay that he should prepare for a severe punishment, which is anticipated to be imposed on August 6.
“It will be a lengthy sentence, and you need to prepare yourself for that,” the judge stated.
Following the trial, a number of officials denounced the murderer’s conduct and commended the investigative efforts.
“A lone woman on the outskirts of a peaceful village was brutally attacked,” Detective Superintendent Mike Brown stated.
Our sympathies are still firmly with Anita’s family, even though we may never fully get the motivation behind it.”
Crown Prosecution Service Nicola Page went on to say that Barclay had committed “an act of terrifying senselessness.”
He “made it his mission to deceive the investigation” and thought he was “too cunning to be caught,” but the verdict disproved his belief, she added.
In addition, Jessica Cox, Rose’s daughter, addressed reporters outside the courthouse.
She described her mother as a “strong, brave, vibrant woman” who liked her life in Brantham and typically felt comfortable while reading a statement.
“They will always treasure Rose’s memory and the good influence she had on everyone’s lives,” Cox said.
She said how deeply saddened she was that her mother’s life had been abruptly and terribly ended.
She also expressed gratitude to the jury for reaching a “unanimous guilty verdict” based on the evidence provided throughout the trial and to the community for their support.
