The news that two suspects have been arrested over the murder of a "fun-loving" mum-of-two marks the first break in a case that went cold 30 years ago.
Veronica Anderson, known as Vera, was found slumped over the front seats of her blue X-reg Ford Cortina car on land off Tannery Lane in Penketh, Warrington, on August 25, 1991. No-one has ever been charged in connection with her death.
Vera, 42, was a popular and "fun-loving" woman who ran a business supplying sandwiches to offices in the Widnes area alongside her daughter. It seemed until today the final hours of her life would remain shrouded in mystery.
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Vera left her home in Hadfield Close, Widnes at 10.10pm on August 24, 1991, after telling a neighbour to watch her six-year-old son because she "had an appointment". Police say she left after a receiving a phone call, and even left her TV switched on suggesting she believed she would only be gone a short time.
Witnesses later reported seeing a woman, matching Vera's description, speaking to a man in the Crown and Cushion pub, Penketh, between 10.30pm and 11pm that night. Detectives said they believed that man may have been the killer.
Shortly after 3am the following morning, a man out looking for a gang of teenage car thieves spotted her vehicle and made the chilling discovery. According to Liverpool ECHO reports from the time, a Home Office pathologist estimated the time of death would have been between 11.30pm and 2.30am.
The pathologist also said the severity of the wound to her neck meant she would have died almost instantly. Despite an inch by inch search of the scene, police never recovered the murder weapon.
However, a cotton glove with the brand name 'Minette' was recovered, stained with what forensic testing revealed was the victim's blood. Speaking in 1991, then Detective Superintendent Keith Anderton told the ECHO: "The glove was found during an intensive search of the area around where Mrs Anderson's body was found.
"There was blood on it. We have had it tested by forensic scientists and it is the victim's blood. We have concluded that it was worn by the killer."
Cheshire Police also said at the time that they were "reasonably certain" a length of cord found in Tannery Lane had been in the killer's possession. Det Supt. Anderton said: "He seems to have prepared to do the killing and to have worn the gloves, or at least one glove, at the time."
The case featured in an episode of Crimewatch later that year and despite theories that the killer may have been a long distance lorry driver, no real suspects emerged. Speaking a few days after her death, Vera's daughter Lorraine Anderson, then 19, tearfully told a press conference: "My mother was a fun-loving woman and a good mum.
"If anyone knows anything or saw anything on Saturday night or Sunday morning will they please come forward. It is very strange that she should just go out of the house that like that.
"My mother was separated and worked very hard to bring us up. Anyone who can help find the person responsible for killing her should please come forward."
Today's news will undoubtedly be huge for Vera's family, more than 30 years after her death. Cheshire Police announced that a 70-year-old man from Widnes, and a 61-year-old woman, from Warrington, have each been arrested on suspicion of murder.
The pair remain in custody where they are being questioned by detectives.
Speaking on the 30th anniversary of her death in August, Detective Inspector Adam Waller said: “Vera’s family have been left devastated by her death and have had to live with what happened since 1991.
“The family have never received closure from Vera’s death and I would appeal to anyone with information to come forward. Someone must know what happened that day and I would appeal to them to get in touch.
“We appreciate that 30 years is a long time ago but the smallest detail may help us in bringing justice for Vera and her family."
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 quoting occurrence number 0709373610. If you do not want to speak to the police then information can also be passed on anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.
