Police believe Joan Roddam probably knew her attacker

Joan Roddam, 74, was found in a field at the rear of her isolated bungalow at West Downs, near Delabole, in north Cornwall on Saturday evening.

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

Police say there is no link with the murder of Carol and Graham Fisher at their bungalow near Wadebridge just a few miles away on 5 November.

Mrs Roddam was last seen alive on 6 November by local fishmonger Shawn Brewer.

Police searched the bungalow and the surrounding area

Her body was discovered after a friend of the family reported they had been unable to contact her.

Police searched the bungalow and surrounding area with the help of a police dog.

They say there appears to be no sign of forced entry at the bungalow, so they think Mrs Roddam knew who her murderer was.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Dunne, who is in charge of the investigation, said: "Mrs Roddam was found dead in a field behind her bungalow late Saturday evening.

"Her body was lying on the grass and she was dressed in her night attire, so it seems to indicate she was either going to bed or had got up in the morning and was still dressed like that when the attacker came in."

He added: "This is totally different from the savage attack which took place in Wadebridge.

A post-mortem revealed Mrs Roddam was suffocated

"I do believe Mrs Roddam most probably knew her assailant."

Mrs Roddam lost her husband six years ago. She lived alone with her three cats.

May Stacey, who lives near to where the pensioner was found, said she was stunned by the news of her death.

"When we heard she had been found, we hoped it might have been natural causes.

"But to hear she was murdered is really bad. It is terrible for all the people in the community."

A major incident room has been set up at Launceston police station.

Officers are now appealing for anyone with information to contact them.