Police unearth new information in unsolved murder of Diane Jones, whose body was found in Martlesham, near Kesgrave and Ipswich – 40 years on

This weekend will mark 40 years since a woman, whose body was found in a copse near Kesgrave, was last seen alive – and police say they have unearthed new information in the unsolved murder.

During the evening of July 23, 1983, 35-year-old Diane Jones and her husband Dr Robert Jones, of Coggeshall in Essex, went for a drink at a nearby pub, leaving for home at about 11pm.

Diane was last seen at the front gate to their house, having got out of the car whilst her husband parked it.

She was not reported as missing for nine days, and on October 22 – three months later – her body was discovered 30 miles away in a copse off the A1093 at Martlesham.

During a post-mortem examination, Diane was found to have a fractured skull, and Suffolk and Essex Constabularies began a joint murder investigation.

Dr Jones was arrested on suspicion of his wife’s murder on November 14, 1983, but he was never charged.

SuffolkNews reported last month that Dr Jones died several weeks prior in France.

Over the past three years, Norfolk and Suffolk Police have begun to re-examine the case.

The counties’ joint Unsolved Case Team have explored forensic exhibits, followed up new leads and interviewed witnesses.

In addition, an investigation has taken place in France, and around a potential murder weapon.

These probes focused on Dr Jones, who was the original suspect in the case.

A Suffolk Police spokesman said his death had limited the scope of the investigation, but the team will continue to exhaust all leads.

Andy Guy, the Major Crime Review and Unsolved Case Team manager, said: “We had been making some positive progress in the case of Diane’s murder and are unearthing new information, even after all this time.

“The death of the suspect in this inquiry means it is unlikely we will be able to progress much further now, as we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this crime.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to reach the evidential threshold required for a prosecution for murder on two separate occasions.

“This case will remain with our team. Several people have spoken to us recently who had not felt able to do so before, but we would still like to hear from anyone who believes they have information about the incident.”

Officers are still eager to hear from anyone who can aid the investigation.

Anyone with information should contact the joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Crime Review and Unsolved Case Team on 01953 423819 or by emailing unsolvedcasereviews@norfolk.police.uk.