Diane Jones murder case has new appeal from Suffolk Police

Sunday marks 40 years since the last time Diane Jones, 35, was seen alive after a night drinking in the Woolpack Inn in Coggeshall.

Mrs Jones headed home with her husband, Dr Robert Jones, to Lees Farm in Colchester Road, at about 11am.

Dr Jones claimed he last saw her at the front gate of their house after she got out of the car, while he parked up and was dealing with their dog.

Mystery - police say Diane Jones was murdered after her body was found three months after she disappeared from her home in Coggeshall (Image: Suffolk Police)

Mrs Jones, who was two months pregnant, was not reported missing until nine days later.

On October 22 1983, three months after her disappearance, Mrs Jones’ body was found by beaters on a pheasant shoot some 30 miles away in Suffolk, in a copse near to the A1093 in Martlesham.

She was identified through dental records two days later and officials found her skull had been fractured in four places.

The grisly discovery sparked a joint murder inquiry by Essex Police and Suffolk Police.

Suspect - Dr Robert Jones died last month aged 80 (Image: Newsquest)

Officers believe the 35-year-old had been battered by a spiked hammer shortly after she went missing, but the weapon has never been found.

Dr Jones was repeatedly questioned by police about her murder and he was arrested in November 1983 but was released without charge.

The crime has been subject to a review over the past three years by the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Unsolved Case Team.

Suffolk Police has now said it has explored several new leads and interviewed new witnesses.

Probe - Dr Jones was never charged with his wife's murder (Image: Newsquest)

Inquiries have also been undertaken in France, where Dr Jones recently died aged 80, and around a potential murder weapon.

The police force said its original suspect in the case has died, but has not confirmed their identity.

Dr Jones always denied he had anything to do with his wife’s murder.

Investigating officers were unable to reach the evidential threshold required for a murder prosecution on two separate occasions.

Missing - Diane Jones disappeared from the couple's farmhouse in Coggeshall (Image: Newsquest)

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 were 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.

“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.”

Anyone who believes they may have information which could assist with the investigation should contact the Joint Norfolk and Suffolk Major Crime Review and Unsolved Case Team.

They can do so by calling 01953 423819 or by emailing unsolvedcasereviews@norfolk.police.uk.