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Bathtub death 25 years ago now treated as murder

Louise Parryand
Kate Bradbrook
News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC The street sign for Hembury Place, which is on a grass verge and surrounded by autumn leaves. Behind it are a row of modern terraced houses with white front doors. Cars are parked on the street.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Rhonda Anderson was found dead in the bath at her home in Hembury Place

The case of a woman found dead in her bathtub 25 years ago is now being treated as murder.

Rhonda Anderson, 29, died at her home in Hembury Place in Northampton, on 8 July 2000, with her death ruled as accidental by a coroner.

At the time, it was reported that she had been electrocuted after a radio fell into the bath.

Northamptonshire Police said: "New information has come to light this summer which has prompted us to re-examine what happened to Rhonda, and a formal murder investigation is now under way."

Officers from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team are now re-examining the case.

Det Ch Insp Torie Harrison appealed to anyone who may have relevant information, or who knew Rhonda at the time, to contact them.

She said they wanted to hear from "anyone that knew of her relationships, or any concerns she may have had".

News imageKate Bradbrook/BBC Det Ch Insp Harrison smiles at the camera standing in a smart office with large green plants and a wood-panelled wall. She wears a black top under an open mottled grey jacket and has long brown hair.Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Det Ch Insp Torie Harrison is appealing for information from anyone who knew Rhonda Anderson at the time of her death

Det Ch Insp Harrison added: "A significant amount of time has passed since Rhonda's death, but I am hopeful that anyone who may have any information about her life or what may have happened to her will still have clear memories they can share with us.

"It doesn't matter how insignificant you think the information you recollect is, we want to hear from you as we explore the circumstances of what happened."

She urged people to get in touch, even if they had since moved away from the area.

"A 29-year-old female has lost her life and we are treating it as a homicide.

"Twenty five years is a long time, if someone has been out and responsible for this death.

"Any piece of information, no matter how small, that might point us in the direction of who might be responsible for this death, is going to be really important."

"This development has obviously come as a huge shock for Rhonda's family who are being supported by specially trained officers and have asked for privacy at this difficult time," she added.

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