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You are here: Home / Unsolved / Josephine Backshall

Josephine Backshall

June 23, 2010 By Alice

Josephine Backshall UK Police could still use some help in the case of Josephine Backshall, 39, of Maldon, Essex, UK. She was discovered in Bury Green near Bishop’s Stortford on November 1, 1974. Josephine was last seen by her family at about 6pm on Tuesday October 29, 1974, when she left her home to keep an appointment in Witham, Essex, UK.

He body was found in a field off Bury Green Lane, which leads to Bury Green, on the morning of November 1, 1974. The spot was almost 35 miles away from her home. Her wristwatch had stopped at 810 pm. Her fully clothed body was face down in a pond near the village of Little Hadham, Herts, more than 30 miles from the home in Maldon, Essex, she shared with her husband and their three young children. Josephine’s hands were tied tightly in front of her with a cord before the killer strangled her. Detectives said at the time that there was no evidence she had been sexually abused.

Josephine’s children Christopher, Sarah and Emma when their mom was murdered

Mrs Backshall had placed an advertisement in her local papers for part-time work in Maldon. On October 29, 1974, she got a phone call from someone she called “Peter”. She arranged to meet him at 630pm that evening, At about 715pm a red Ford Cortina Mk 3, believed to be hers, was seen in Collingwood Road, Witham, with the bonnet up.

There is also some information about Josephine being seen in the company of a man at the Fountain pub in Good Easter at 1030pm.

A 68-year-old man from Essex was questioned over the murder of Josephine Backshall. Police arrested the man, from the Maldon area, and later released him on bail pending further inquiries.

Investigator Richard Moulder urges anyone else who may have any information about the murder of Josephine Backshall to contact UK police on 0845 33 00 222 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Read more in the BBC article about Josephine Backshall here.

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Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Forensics, Josephine Backshall, M-Vac Systems, Strangulation, UK, Unsolved Homicide

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Author Notes

On this website, I write about old, unsolved cases. Most are from the pre-DNA era and are in need of renewed media attention. I only do research and leave the active investigation of these cases to the professionals.

My posts are about homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to these cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme and research. It remains my prerogative to not review a book.

My database has over 300 cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well. The database will always be free to the public to use. You cannot buy ad space on my website, ever.

All writing suggestions that come in by email are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient. My to-do list is very long but no case gets dropped and I will get back in touch.

Defrosting Cold Cases is NOT an organization. It is my brainchild.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the about page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you still cannot find the answer there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

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If you use my work, please add a link back. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. Thank you!

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Copyright: Please add a link back if you use my work. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. If you need help with this, just contact me. Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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