92-Year-Old Man Convicted of 1967 Bristol Rape, Murder Cold Case

Ryland Headley, a 92-year-old man, has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 20 years for the rape and murder of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne in Bristol in 1967, marking what is believed to be the UK's longest-running cold case solved. Headley, who was 34 at the time, broke into Mrs. Dunne's home, sexually assaulted her, and caused her death by strangulation and asphyxiation. DNA evidence from semen found on a blue skirt worn by Mrs. Dunne, matched to Headley with a billion-to-one likelihood, was pivotal in solving the case after more than 50 years. Headley, who had previously been convicted of raping two elderly women in Ipswich, denied the charges but was found guilty by a jury after nearly ten hours of deliberation. The judge emphasized the cruelty and depravity of Headley’s actions, acknowledging that due to his age, he is unlikely to be released and will die in prison. Police are now investigating whether Headley is connected to other unsolved crimes.