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Last Updated: Friday, 19 March, 2004, 07:01 GMT
Funeral held for murdered widow
Scene of the death at West Downs
Mrs Roddam's body was found in a field behind her home
The funeral of murdered pensioner Joan Roddam will take place in Cornwall on Friday.

The 74-year-old was found in a field behind her bungalow at West Brow, West Downs, near Delabole, on 8 November.

A post-mortem examination showed she had died from asphyxiation and suffocation and her killer has still not been found.

Mrs Roddam's family has asked that the funeral and cremation at Cardinham, near Bodmin, be kept private.

Suffocation

Mrs Roddam was found dead in a field last November behind her home after a friend of the family reported they had been unable to contact her.

A post-mortem examination revealed she died from asphyxiation and suffocation, but there were no signs of a struggle or excessive violence.

A police team based at Launceston has seen 600 people and taken more than 300 statements during its investigations.

Police said there did not appear to be any sign of forced entry at the bungalow, so they think Mrs Roddam knew who her murderer was.

Mrs Roddam's husband died six years ago and she lived alone with her three cats.


SEE ALSO:
Murder police release man
20 Jan 04  |  Cornwall
Reward offered to catch killers
02 Dec 03  |  Cornwall
Police call in retired detectives
26 Nov 03  |  England
Drivers aid hunt for killer
18 Nov 03  |  Cornwall
Murdered woman was suffocated
10 Nov 03  |  Cornwall


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