Crime
£20,000 reward unclaimed as police renew 11-year-old unsolved Wisbech murder
‘It has been 11 years since Una Crown’s tragic death, and we still seek justice for her family’
A £20,000 Crimestoppers reward remains unclaimed as police renew their appeal to help solve the murder of 86-year-old Una Crown of Wisbech 11 years ago. Police were called after family members and a neighbour discovered the body of 86-year-old Una Crown in her bungalow in Magazine Lane, Wisbech, on Sunday, 13 January 2013.
She had been seen alive two days beforehand (11 January) and had spoken to a friend over the phone at about 5pm on the Saturday – the day before her body was discovered by police.
The death was initially treated as unexplained but, after a post-mortem examination concluded Mrs Crown died from stab wounds to her neck and chest, a murder investigation was launched.
Crimestoppers are offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information on the murder of Una Crown which leads to the conviction of those responsible.
“If you know something, even if you think it’s insignificant, your information could make a positive difference and you could be eligible for a reward,” says Annabelle Goodenough of Crimestoppers on their website.
“Please call our UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, which is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or complete a simple and secure anonymous online form.
“We cannot trace your call or track your IP address and we never ask for or record any personal information. No one will ever know you contacted us.”
Mrs Crown’s clothing had also been set alight, in an apparent attempt to disguise her injuries and destroy evidence, but the fire did not spread to the rest of the house.
CCTV shows Una Crown shopping days before her murder at her Wisbech home
Detective Superintendent Iain Moor, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: “It has now been 11 years since Mrs Crown’s tragic death, and we still seek justice for her family.
“Last year we appealed for help on national television with a reconstruction of events. It is incredibly positive we were able to reach such a large audience, but we continue to seek opportunities for new lines of enquiry.
“We also continue to re-appeal to the public for information and keep the case in people’s minds.
Una Crown with her late husband Jack
“I am urging anyone who has information but not yet come forward, to do the right thing and get in touch. Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, may be key to solving this investigation and finally getting justice.”
Information can be reported to police, quoting Operation Valyrian, via the Major Incident Public Portal.
Crimestoppers spokesperson said: “This is a truly awful, shocking, and sad case. Our thoughts are very much with Una’s family and friends who remain desperate for answers and justice.”
FOOTNOTE
Two police officers who failed to spot Wisbech widow Una Crown had been murdered were criticised in a report in 2015 by the professional standards department of Cambridgeshire police.
Officers attending the scene failed to immediately spot she had been repeatedly stabbed and her body burned.
An internal review, carried out by Supt Mark Hodgson, head of the professional standards department, said the actions of both officers had “breached the standards of professional behaviour”.
Two complaints were made to the force’s ‘watchdog’ department and an internal investigation was launched.
Supt Hodgson said both officers “greatly regret” the distress caused to the widow’s family by the failure to spot the murder early on.
“They should have erred on the side of caution and either declared the death suspicious or sought further guidance,” he concluded.
Among recommendations from the inquiry was for officers to be given further training to prevent any reoccurrence.
Supt Hodgson apologised for the “flawed decision making” of the officers involved in the murder inquiry.
