Appeal for information one year on from Liverpool Grandmother's murder
Rose Johnson was found dead at her Dovecot home one year ago
Merseyside Police are renewing their appeal for information on the murder of a Liverpool grandmother one year on from her death.
Rose was found dead at her home on Ancroft Road at 12.35pm on Saturday 4 October 2025, she had been assaulted and suffered a blunt force head injury.
On the afternoon of Thursday 2 October Rose was captured on CCTV socialising with a group of friends at The Watch Maker pub in Prescot town centre. She then travelled to her home by taxi at around 12.40am on Friday morning. Her body was discovered the following day (Saturday 4 September). She was wearing the same clothing she was wearing on Thursday when she was found.
Extensive lines of enquiry have been carried out to date including witness, house-to-house, CCTV and forensic enquiries.
Police have also arrested two men on suspicion of Rose’s murder as part of the investigation. Both have been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
Rose's family have released a statement marking the anniversary:
"As the first anniversary of the loss of my mum approaches, the pain we feel as a family is unbearable. Not a day goes by that we aren’t desperate to find out what happened to her.
"The way in which she died was senseless and devastating and as a family we struggle to understand why anyone would want to hurt her.
"She was an honest, hardworking woman who’s caring nature was felt by every person she met. She always had a kind word to share in times of need and a shoulder to lean on if you needed it.
"October is a very poignant month for us, birthdays and Wedding anniversaries of our parents, now the brutal killing of our mum.
"Mum should have been looking forward to many more years of life enjoying her family and watching her grandchildren grow up.
Two people have been arrested on suspicion of murder, but we still do not know who was responsible or why my mum, a pensioner, who was attacked in her home.
"As a family we desperately need answers and are pleading with everybody, please give peace to my mum and us as a family."
Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Walsh, who is leading the investigation into Rose’s murder, said: “It is incomprehensible that 12 months on Rose’s killer is still walking the streets, but I want the public to feel reassured that we are doing everything within our powers to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.
“The last few hours that Rose was alive we can see on the CCTV that she was simply enjoying an afternoon and evening socialising with a group of friends.
“We know that after leaving the pub she arrived home via taxi and that was the last time she was seen alive.
“We are continuing to follow up any new lines of enquiry and I would appeal for anyone with information which could assist the investigation to come forward and tell us what they know.
“Rose’s family and friends have been left devastated by their loss, but we remain committed to getting the answers they deserve.”
Crimestoppers, which is independent of the police, is continuing to support the investigation by offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information the charity exclusively receives, either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111 at any time, that leads to the arrest of those responsible for Rose’s murder.