DETECTIVES investigating the unsolved murder of an Essex mother 35 years ago have urged more people with information about the killing to come forward.

Annie Davidson

DETECTIVES investigating the unsolved murder of an Essex mother 35 years ago have urged more people with information about the killing to come forward.

Josephine Backshall, of Maldon, was found dead in a field in Hertfordshire after going to meet a man in Witham to talk about a part-time job.

The mother-of-three had been strangled and her death in October 1974 prompted a massive police investigation but the murderer has never been bought to justice.

Now cold case detectives have started a new enquiry into Mrs Backshall's death and said they had had “a good response” from the public following an initial appeal.

Richard Moulder, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Cold Case Review Unit, said: “We have had a good response from the public following the appeal and we will be following up on these calls over the next few weeks.

“We'd like to thank those who have contacted us and urge anyone else who may have any information relating to the murder of Josephine Backshall to call us.

“Remember that any information you can give, however small, could prove vital to this investigation and help to bring Josephine's killer to justice.”

Detectives are being backed in their fresh bid for justice by Mrs Backshall's children, Christopher, Sarah and Emma, who were 12, 10 and seven when she was murdered.

Mrs Backshall was 39 when she died and lived in Maldon with her husband and three children.

Her family last saw her alive on October 29, 1974, when she left her home to go to an appointment in Witham but never returned.

Three days later her body was found in a field off the main lane, known as Bury Green Lane, leading to Bury Green, near Bishop's Stortford. She had been strangled.

Anyone who has information about Mrs Backshall's death is urged to contact the police on 0845 33 00 222 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.