Rose Johnston murder in Dovecot remains unsolved on what would have been her 69th birthday

Rose Johnston was beaten to death at her Dovecot home on 4 October 2025. Her family says the unsolved murder is a "constant source of pain" as a £20,000 reward remains unclaimed.

Family's grief deepens as Dovecot murder inquiry enters third month

The family of Rose Johnston, beaten to death in her home in Ancroft Road, Dovecot, have spoken of their anguish on what would have been her 69th birthday, marking the first since her killing.

Google News UK — Crime (en) reports that Johnston's body was discovered at 12:35 GMT on 4 October 2025, with a post-mortem examination concluding she had suffered a blunt-force head injury.

"Mum would have had my cousins helping to plan and arrange a lovely day for us all, but now I won't get the opportunity to take my mum out for tea and spoil her," her family said in a statement.

The family described the murder as a "constant source of pain" and said they remained in a state of shock over what had happened to their "beautiful mum".

"Those little things that we enjoyed as a family have been brutally snatched away from her and us," they added.

A 37-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and subsequently released on bail while the investigation continues. No further arrests have been made.

Crimestoppers has offered a £20,000 reward for information shared exclusively with the charity that leads to the arrest of anyone responsible for Johnston's death.

Rose had worked as a tutor in adult education for many years and had more recently volunteered with people with special educational needs. Her family said that, had she been alive, she would likely have been arranging a stay at a caravan site or a hotel in Southport to celebrate her birthday with her "beloved sister".

"Mum loved nothing more than the chance to take a walk along the beach or prom, go to the market or maybe go to one of her favourite chippies in Rhos-on-sea," her family said.

Her family made a direct appeal for witnesses to come forward, urging anyone with information — however small — to contact police.

"I'm appealing directly to those of you who might have any information, no matter how small or trivial you might think it may be to please come forward," the statement read.

Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Walsh of Merseyside Police described the investigation as "complex" and said officers remained confident that answers existed within the local community.

"We still believe that the answers lie within the local community and that there are people out there who have information which, for whatever reason, they have chosen not to share," Walsh said.

The family said they were desperate for answers so they could "find peace".

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)