Widow's killer still free after two-year inquiry

The body of widow Lea Brooke was found in the burned-out remains of her detached bungalow in Walton Lane, Sandal, near Wakefield, in November 2008.

The 81-year-old mother-of-five, who lived alone, died from breathing in smoke after someone had poured white spirit through her letterbox in the early hours of Monday, November 10.

She was found in her nightclothes in a bathroom, her body partly covered by fallen debris caused by a fierce blaze which took firefighters more than two hours to bring under control.

An inquest into her death heard yesterday that police had conducted extensive inquiries, but officers had yet to establish a motive for the arson attack.

Detective Superintendent David Pervin, the senior officer on the case, told the hearing in Wakefield that he had no doubt that Mrs Brooke had been unlawfully killed - but it was not known why.

He described her busy social life, which included church and playing bridge, which had revealed nothing about any possible motive for an arson attack.

Mr Pervin said a dispute with a neighbour over a felled tree had been investigated, but no evidence found to link them to the arson.

Officers also looked into the backgrounds of family members, including her builder son Howard, who occasionally stopped at the house and ran his business from there.

However, inquiries once again drew a blank.

It was also possible that neither Mrs Brooke nor her son were the intended target, he said. The attack may have targeted the wrong property, or it could be that an arsonist was operating in the area.

"Despite extensive inquiries and several public appeals, no person responsible has been identified or charged. The investigation is still very much alive," he said.

"As the second anniversary of her death approaches, there will be further public appeals for information."

Coroner David Hinchliff said he could not believe that a "highly respected lady" such as Mrs Lea could be the intended victim, and added: "It seems to me inconceivable that anyone could wish her to be hurt of harmed."

Mr Hinchliff told Mrs Brooke's sons and daughters present at the hearing that the investigation would continue. Det Supt Pervin said he was hopeful the arsonist would be caught.

"I still hope, as the family do, that we will get the information to identify the person responsible."

Mr Hinchliff said that he had "a hunch" that a breakthrough in the murder investigation may not be too far away.

The detective said it may take "many years" to catch the culprit, but the investigation would not be closed.

"People's allegiances change – they may have been reluctant to come forward in the early stages. I don't think there is scope for the family to be pessimistic about the future."

Recording a verdict that Mrs Lea was unlawfully killed, Mr Hinchliff said: "It's inconceivable to me from the evidence that I have heard anyone could wish her harm. Whatever the motive was for someone to deliberately enter her property and pour white spirit through her door, I cannot say."

He added: "She died as a result of a foul, despicable act by a person or persons so far unknown. They would know that anyone in the house was likely to suffer very serious harm or death."

After the hearing, Mrs Brooke's daughter, Suzanne Brindley, said: "We are frustrated the person has not been apprehended. Mum was a well person, despite her age, and that hurts more than anything."