92-Year-Old Man Detained for 1967 Rape and Murder in Britain’s Oldest Cold Case Trial

This is the moment a 92-year-old man was arrested at his home nearly six decades after a woman was raped and murdered in one of the UK’s oldest unsolved crimes.

Police body camera footage captured the dramatic arrest of pensioner Ryland Headley, who is now on trial for the alleged rape and murder of Louisa Dunne in Bristol on June 27, 1967. The footage, which was played to jurors and later released by Avon and Somerset Police, shows the startled suspect being confronted by officers at his home in Ipswich, Suffolk.

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In the video, Headley is heard saying, “Where are you getting this from?” after being told he is under arrest. Officers approach the door and ask to come inside due to the sensitive nature of the situation. Headley, looking confused and frail, initially resists, saying, “I’ve just got up and I’m very sick.”

A female officer calmly explains: “I’ll tell you inside because we don’t want other people hearing.” Moments later, the second officer informs him: “I’m arresting you on suspicion of the rape and murder of Louisa Dunne, which happened in Bristol in June 1967.” Headley responds repeatedly with “yeah” before asking again, “Where are you getting all this from?”

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According to the trial, Louisa Dunne’s body was discovered by neighbours in her home on Britannia Road the morning after the attack. For more than five decades, no suspect was ever charged. But recent advances in DNA forensics changed everything.

Items preserved from the original crime scene including Ms. Dunne’s skirt were reexamined and, according to a forensic scientist, contained semen samples “one billion times” more likely to have come from Headley than from any other individual. DNA matches were also found in samples taken from Mrs. Dunne’s pubic hair.

Dr. Albert Hunt, the original pathologist, confirmed her cause of death as asphyxiation due to strangulation and pressure on the mouth.

Despite the mounting scientific evidence, Headley denies all charges of rape and murder. The trial at Bristol Crown Court continues as the nation watches the chilling case unfold a haunting reminder that justice, no matter how long delayed, may still find its way home.

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