A 92-year-old man has been charged with the rape and murder of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne, who died in Bristol almost 60 years ago.
Ryland Headley, of Ipswich, was due to appear at Bristol magistrates court via video link on Wednesday.
Dunne’s body was found by a neighbour inside her home in the Easton area of the city on 28 June 1967.
Det Insp 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.”
Over the years, police have launched a number of high-profile appeals 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.’”
