Reward of £20,000 offered to help find grandmother’s killer

A £20,000 reward is being offered to help find the killer of a grandmother found dead in her home.

Rose Johnston, 68, was found with a blunt-force head injury at her home in Dovecot, Liverpool, on Saturday October 4, just after 12.30pm.

On Friday, Merseyside Police announced a £20,000 reward, offered by independent charity Crimestoppers, for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Catherine Walsh said: “Someone must have answers and I urge them to come forward and speak to us.

“Rose was a loving and caring mum and grandma, and her family are absolutely devastated by what’s happened.

“It’s absolutely vital that we get the answers to understand what has happened to Rose.”

In a tribute released following her death, her family described Mrs Johnston, an adult education tutor who volunteered with people with special educational needs, as “kind, caring, compassionate, friendly, unassuming and gentle”.

The family said: “We just can’t understand who would want to hurt her this way.”

Detectives have carried out witness, house-to-house, CCTV and forensic inquiries but say they are “keeping an open mind” as to why Mrs Johnston was killed.

The force is appealing for information from anyone who saw her, or anyone acting suspiciously, in the area of her home on Ancroft Road between October 3, when she was last seen in the early hours, and the following day.

Gary Murray, North West regional manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Rose was a caring and generous woman who dedicated her life to her family and to others. Her murder has shocked the local community and her family deserve answers.

“We know that people often stay silent if they know something about serious crime like this out of fear or because they don’t want to get involved. But Crimestoppers offers a completely safe and anonymous way to speak up.

“You can contact our charity, which is independent of the police and will never be asked about your personal details. We can’t trace your call or online form, and you’ll remain 100% anonymous. That means no comeback.

“If you know what happened to Rose, or have suspicions about who is responsible, please let us know.”

The reward is available for information received exclusively by Crimestoppers, which can be contacted online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Information can also be passed to Merseyside Police via social media @MerPolCC on X and Facebook, by calling 101 or at www.merseyside.police.uk.

Published: 12/12/2025 by Radio NewsHub