DURHAM Police have said they remain open-minded about who may be responsible for the murder of Ann Heron on the outskirts of Darlington.

The force has released a statement after it dismissed complaints by widower Peter Heron, 86, over the original investigation into his wife’s murder August 3 1990 and his arrest in 2005. Charges against him were dropped, but Mr Heron, who maintains his innocence, says he still lives under a cloud of suspicion.

A Durham Police spokesman said: “The murder of Ann Heron has been thoroughly investigated and subject to constant review over the last 31 years, including the use of new investigative techniques with the advancement of forensic technology.

“It is still the ambition of Durham Constabulary to convict the person responsible for Ann’s murder.

“At this time there is no new evidence that identifies new suspects, but we remain open-minded.”

The family say the police are investigating themselves and they have not addressed the failings in the initial investigation and subsequently. They say the police will not "as they are biased”.

In a statement they said: “The matter needs to be subject of an independent objective investigation which can only be done by either by an outside force or the IOPC.”

Their solicitor will be writing in these terms to the IOPC this week.

 

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