Historic murder investigation into Northampton woman’s death officially closed

An historic murder investigation launched by Northamptonshire Police 25 years after a woman’s death has been officially closed.

Northamptonshire Police were investigating the death of Rhonda Anderson, aged 29, was found at her home in Hembury Place, Briar Hill on July 8, 2000. In the same year, Rhonda’s death was ruled as accidental by a coroner, police said.

Left: A tribute left to Rhonda at the scene back in 2000 (picture from Chronicle & Echo). Right: Rhonda was found dead in her home in Hembury Place, Briar Hill (Google).

placeholder image — Left: A tribute left to Rhonda at the scene back in 2000 (picture from Chronicle & Echo). Right: Rhonda was found dead in her home in Hembury Place, Briar Hill (Google).

Earlier, officers from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team said they were now re-examining the case, due to the “emergence of new information” discovered in summer 2025.

Detectives appealed for anyone who may have been friends with Rhonda or who knew her at the time of her death and may have had any relevant information they can share to contact them.

Now, police have confirmed that the investigation has closed.

In a statement released on Tuesday July 8, DCI Torie Harrison said Northamptonshire Police had arrested a 56-year-old man on suspicion of murder as part of the investigation.

“We also revisited reports from 25 years ago and issued a fresh appeal for anyone who may have known Rhonda at the time to contact us,” DCI Harrison said. “This work has now concluded, and it has been determined there is insufficient evidence to take the investigation further, with no further action being taken.”