ONE of Essex's most tragic murder cases where a woman died from smoke inhalation in a house fire remains an unsolved crime, with loved ones still missing the justice they deserve.
Andrea Daly, 40, died after a fire broke out at her mid-terrace house in Rochford Road just over 17 years ago.
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.
Andrea's sons, aged 17 and 20 at the time, jumped from a first-floor bedroom window.
But Andrea became trapped in her bedroom and died as a result of inhaling smoke.
Her husband Keith was working away from home in Lincolnshire when he received the devastating call informing him his wife of 20 years had died.
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.
Get more great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter - don't miss out!
Extensive enquiries have been carried out to try and find those responsible. But despite these efforts, they remain at large and their motives for starting the fire are unknown.
A further appeal for information was made in 2015, on the tenth anniversary of her death, and again in 2017.
However, the killer has still not come forward or been found.
Towards the end of last year, an Essex Police spokesman said the investigation “remains open”, adding how “cases such as this are never closed” and they “remain committed to finding the person or people responsible”.
On the tenth anniversary of his mum’s death, Andrea’s son Richard, 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, Andrea’s husband Keith 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 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