The family of a nan murdered in her own home said they were in a "state of shock and disbelief" as they continue to hunt for answers on what would have been her birthday. Rose Johnston, 68, was found dead at her home on Ancroft Road in Dovecot at 12.35pm on October 4 last year having been assaulted and suffered a blunt force head injury.
Investigation ongoing
Merseyside Police's investigation has included enquiries in the local community as well as forensic and CCTV probes. A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of her murder in May this year and was later released on conditional bail while investigations continued.
Today would have been Ms Johnston's 69th birthday and her family have remembered the "kind, caring and compassionate" mum and nan. In a statement issued through the police, her family said being without her on what would have been her birthday was "one of many firsts".
Family tribute
The statement said: "The impact the loss of my mum has had is a constant source of pain for our whole family. Knowing my mum would likely have been arranging a break in a caravan to celebrate her birthday with her beloved sister or even a couple of nights in a hotel in Southport."
"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. 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."
"Those little things that we enjoyed as a family have been brutally snatched away from her and us. As a family we are still in a state of shock and disbelief as to why this has happened to my beautiful mum."
Police appeal
The ECHO previously reported "private, but truly family orientated" Ms Johnston was a tutor working in adult education and had more recently volunteered for the Nugent group supporting people who special education needs. Her family remembered "she didn't have very much [but] would always buy donations for the foodbank every time she did her shopping".
Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Walsh, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our investigation into Rose's murder remains ongoing. This is a complex investigation, but we have carried out a significant number of enquiries and continue to respond to any new information we receive."
"The past 10 months have been exceptionally difficult for Rose's family but they are fully supportive of the work of the investigation team and we are determined to get the answers they deserve. 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."
"I would simply say - please do the right thing and come forward. If you don’t want to speak to the police then pass on the information anonymously to Crimestoppers. The person responsible for Rose’s murder does not deserve to be walking the streets and should be behind bars."
Ms Johnston's family added that they were appealing directly to anyone who might have information, "no matter how small or trivial you might think it may be, to please come forward". They said: "As a family we are desperate for answers and to find peace for us and our beloved mum."
Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, continues to support the investigation by offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information the charity exclusively receives - either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111 at any time - that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Ms Johnston's murder.
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police added: "You can also contact us via social media @MerPolCC on X and Facebook, via our website or by calling 101 quoting reference 25000817218."
