Date: July 1, 2025
After 58 years, British police finally solved the murder of Louisa Dunne, who was raped and killed in 1967. The convict, 92-year-old Ryland Headley, was sentenced to life imprisonment on Monday, with a minimum term of 20 years. The sentencing for related charges will continue on Tuesday.
Headley, who was in his 30s when he committed the crime, had already been convicted earlier for raping two elderly women at their homes. Police said these assaults bore an “eerily similar pattern” to Dunne’s murder. Senior Investigating Officer Dave Marchant called Headley a “dangerous serial offender” with a shocking criminal history.
The breakthrough came after a 2023 review of the case files, leading to fresh DNA analysis of preserved evidence, finally identifying Headley as the perpetrator. British police have termed this the oldest cold case solved in UK history, highlighting how advancements in DNA technology can bring justice even after decades.
