Murder investigation underway following death of woman in Dovecot

Above: Family photograph of Rose Johnston

We have launched a murder investigation following the death of a woman in Dovecot.

Rose Johnston, 68, was found dead at her home on Ancroft Road at around 12.35pm on Saturday 4 October.

A Home Office post-mortem has taken place and the cause of death has been established as a blunt force head injury.

An investigation is underway and house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries are in the process of being carried out.

Mrs Johnston’s family are being supported by specially trained officers.

Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Walsh said: “We understand how shocking and distressing this is and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mrs Johnston.

“I know people living in the local community will be understandably upset and concerned but I want them to be reassured we are doing everything in our powers to find the person responsible.

“We have a team of detectives who are carrying out a number of lines of enquiry to establish Mrs Johnston’s movements in the days leading up to her death, working through CCTV and doorbell camera footage and speaking to potential witnesses in the local area.

“I would ask anyone who saw anyone acting suspiciously around Ancroft Road in the past few days, captured anything significant on a doorbell or dashboard camera or has any information which could assist our enquiries to get in touch as a matter of urgency.

“There will be a visible police presence in the area for the next few days and I would urge anyone with any concerns or questions to speak to our officers.”

Anyone with information which could assist the investigation should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook quoting reference 25000817218. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or pass on information via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.