POLICE chiefs have insisted cases such as the murder of Andrea Daly in Southend "are never closed" 17-years on from her death in arson attack on her home.
The awful killing which shook the community to its core took place in the early hours of Thursday, November 10, 2005.
Andrea was asleep when the fatal fire was started through the letterbox of her home at 3.30am.
Her two sons, Richard and Stuart, then aged 20 and 17, jumped to safety from a first-floor window.
Devastatingly, Andrea, 40, was trapped in her bedroom by the flames and died from smoke inhalation.
To this day, no one been charged or convicted in connection with her death, despite numerous public appeals by both Essex Police and her family.
At the time, detectives centred their investigation around three cars seen in the area prior to the attack.
A white Suzuki Vitara was seen by witnesses in Eastwoodbury Crescent near to the entrance of Southend Airport along with three men and a petrol can.
A four-wheel drive black BMW was also seen in the area, as well as a white Ford Fiesta, seen parked with its engine running near to the scene an hour before the arson.
An Essex Police spokesman said: “Our investigation into the murder of Andrea Daly remains open. Cases such as this are never closed. We remain committed to finding the person or people responsible.
“We also remain in contact with Andrea’s family.”
Two years ago, on the tenth anniversary of his mum’s death, Andrea’s son Richard, now 33, launched an appeal to find his mum’s killer.
“I could hear loud crackling and my brother came running over, burst open the window and dived out of the window like he was diving into a swimming pool,” he said, recalling the haunting day.
“I tried to go to the door to pull the handle open. My hand was bubbling when I touched the handle.
“All I could hear was my mum screaming and bellowing. I realised I couldn’t do anything.
“For me, if it was one of my friends who done it, [I would say] sorry mate but I’m grassing you up because that’s someone’s mum - and now it’s someone’s grandmother.
Urging people to come forward, her Husband Keith, who was working away from home in Lincolnshire when he received the devastating call informing him his wife of 20 years had died, said: “If I was to come face to face with the person who done it, I don’t know what I would say.
“But what I will say is that i wouldn’t want anybody, friend or enemy, to go through the pain that we’ve been through.”
Anyone with information is urged to come forward and assist Essex Police’s investigation.
“We would appeal for anyone with information to contact the major investigation team on 101, by email at scd.appeals.essex@essex.pnn.police.uk , or via the ‘Live Chat’ function on our website,” a force spokesman said.
“Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel