Vera Anderson murder probe latest on 32nd anniversary of death

Mum-of-two Veronica Anderson, known as Vera, left her home in Widnes at 10.10pm on Saturday, August 24, 1991, after receiving a phone call.

She dashed out without taking her purse and leaving the television on, dropping her then seven-year-old son with a neighbour saying she would only be gone for 10 minutes.

Just hours after at around 3am on Sunday, August 25, 1991, her body was found slumped over the steering wheel of her blue Ford Cortina car at Penketh Tannery.

The site, on Tannery Lane, has since been demolished and replaced with a housing estate.

The 42-year-old’s throat had been slashed and she had been strangled.

A murder investigation was subsequently launched by Cheshire Police and in March last year, two people were arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the case.

The suspects – a 70-year-old man from Widnes and a 61-year-old woman from Warrington – were both later released under investigation.

When asked by the Runcorn and Widnes World, Cheshire Police confirmed that the pair remain under investigation.

One of Cheshire’s longest unsolved murder investigations, the case featured on Crimewatch Live on BBC One last September in an attempt by police to appeal for information.

There was no evidence of a robbery or a sexual assault, although the killer left behind a blood-stained glove and a length of cord.

It is believed that Vera, who ran a business making and selling sandwiches, was killed at some point between 11.30pm and 2.30am.

The crime scene at Penketh Tannery 32 years ago

The identity of the caller remains a mystery, but at around 10.30pm a woman matching Vera’s description was sighted in the Crown and Cushion pub in Penketh.

Due to suspects remaining under investigation, Cheshire Police did not want to issue a further appeal for information for the 32nd anniversary of Vera’s death this year.

Speaking last year, DCI Adam Waller said: “A lot has changed in the last 31 years, however for Vera’s family, time has stood still.

“No matter how many years pass, Vera’s death remains to have an impact on their lives.

“We will continue to work on any snippet of information that is provided to us and are committed to doing everything possible to find those responsible and bring them to justice.”

The year before, he commented: “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 had happened that day, and I would appeal to them to come forward.

“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 call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting occurrence number 0709373610, or visit cheshire.police.uk

Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visiting crimestoppers-uk.org