A 92-year-old man has appeared in court charged with the rape and murder of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne, who died in Bristol almost 60 years ago.
Ryland Headley, of Ipswich, appeared at Bristol magistrates court via video link from a police station on Wednesday morning.
Dunne’s body was found by a neighbour inside her home in the Easton area of Bristol on 28 June 1967.
During his brief court appearance, Headley was not asked to enter pleas to the two charges and spoke only to confirm his name, date of birth and address, and that he understood the hearing was taking place as though he were physically present in court.
Judge Matthews told him: “There are two charges which are alleged against you. The first is that between the 26th and 29th of June 1967 in Easton, Bristol, you murdered Louisa Dunne. The second allegation is that between the same dates in Bristol, you raped Louisa Dunne.
“The two matters are going to be sent to the crown court. A hearing at Bristol crown court will be tomorrow. I have no power to consider the question of your bail, and therefore you will be remanded in custody until tomorrow.”
Before the hearing, DI Dave Marchant, of Avon and Somerset police, said: “This development marks a hugely significant moment in this investigation. Now criminal proceedings are under way it’s important to stress the defendant has the right to a fair trial. Any speculation or misinformation on the circumstances of this case has the potential to prejudice these ongoing proceedings.
“We’ve updated Louisa’s family about this charging decision and a specialist liaison officer will continue to support them in the coming days, weeks and months.”
Police have launched a number of high-profile appeals over the years to try to catch Dunne’s killer.
Her friend, Alice Clarke, who had spent time with Dunne shortly before her murder, told the Bristol Evening Post at the time: “We had a bit of custard and stewed gooseberry. When she left she said, as she always did: ‘Good night. God bless. I don’t know when I’ll be seeing thee.’”
