A murder inquiry has been launched after a retired antiques dealer was found dead in her thatched cottage more than three weeks ago.
Police initially believed the death of Isobel Rhodes, 88, was not suspicious after paramedics found her body in her isolated home on February 17.
But detectives say they ‘now have reason to believe there may have been third party involvement’ in her unexplained death.
Police have arrested a 43-year-old man from Ipswich, Suffolk, on suspicion of the murder of the Oxford graduate who specialised in 17th century oak furniture.
Forensics officers were today searching for clues at her home, which is 200 yards down a bridleway track in Capel St Mary near Ipswich.
A murder inquiry has been launched after retired antiques dealer Isobel Rhodes, 88, was found dead in her thatched cottage more than three weeks ago. Police initially believed her death was not suspicious after paramedics found her body in her isolated home on February 17. (Above, forensics officers at her property today)
Police have arrested a 43-year-old man from Ipswich, Suffolk, on suspicion of the murder of the Oxford graduate who specialised in 17th century oak furniture. (Pictured, police today at Ms Rhodes’ property – a redbrick home called Keeper’s Cottage)
Mrs Rhodes ran an antique shop for around 25 years on the Market Hill (pictured) in Woodbridge, Suffolk, and previously had a shop in Hadleigh, near Ipswich
It is believed she was found dead after the alarm was raised by a villager who had not seen her for several days and was unable to get a reply at her cottage.
The arrested man is being quizzed by detectives at the police investigation centre in Martlesham, Suffolk
He is believed to have known her and had visited her at her redbrick home called Keeper’s Cottage.
Mrs Rhodes ran an antique shop for around 25 years on the Market Hill in Woodbridge, Suffolk, and previously had a shop in Hadleigh, near Ipswich.
She sold her premises in Woodbridge and the two flats above her shop last year and auctioned all her remaining furniture after old age forced her to give up her business.
Mrs Rhodes had lived alone since the death in 2017 of her economist husband Gerry, who also went to Oxford University. The couple had no children.
Her neighbour Edward Manson, a clockmaker from Woodbridge, said: ‘She was a remarkable lady who had a very good reputation in the antiques world.
Mrs Rhodes had lived alone since the death in 2017 of her economist husband Gerry, who also went to Oxford University. The couple had no children
‘I would describe her as an old-school and rather formidable person who didn’t suffer fools, but she was capable of acts of kindness and being thoughtful.
‘She had very strong opinions and always told you what she thought about things and people who annoyed her.
‘She was charming, but would always let you know if you were in favour or not. I know that her health had suffered in the last two or three years.’
She was fiercely independent and highly intelligent. She knew everything there was to know about furniture.
Christine Cutler, 76, who lives next door to Mrs Rhodes’ shop
Mr Manson said that Mrs Rhodes had read medieval history at Oxford, where she had met her husband.
He added: ‘She would often say that going to Oxford on a scholarship was the best part of her life.
‘She and her husband lived in London before they moved to Capel St Mary and she opened her first shop in Hadleigh.
‘She specialised in 17th century oak furniture and metalwork, but she also sold Georgian furniture, pottery and other accessories.
‘She was well known in the world of dealers. She would be a contender if anything outstanding came on the market to buy.’
Mr Manson said Mrs Rhodes’s business had suffered in recent years with the decline of the antique trade
But he added: ‘She still enjoyed her shop and loved interacting with people coming in off the street.’
Christine Cutler, 76, who lives next door to Mrs Rhodes’ shop, said: ‘She was fiercely independent and highly intelligent. She knew everything there was to know about furniture.
Isobel Rhodes sold her premises in Woodbridge and the two flats above her shop last year and auctioned all her remaining furniture after old age forced her to give up her business. (Above, police at her house today)
‘She had to give up driving before she retired and often stayed the week in her flat above the shop, and went back to her cottage at weekends. It is terrible to hear that she has died in these circumstances.’
Retired fencing contractor Michael Vince, 77, of Capel St Mary, said: ‘I used to see her weeding in her garden in her sunhat. When she had a car, she would drive down the track to her home with bits of furniture on the roof.’
Suffolk Police said in a statement: ‘Police have arrested a man in connection with the unexplained death of an 88-year-old woman in Capel St Mary, which occurred last month.
‘Officers were called at 12.50pm on Monday 17 February to concerns for the welfare of a woman who resided at an address near Mill Hill.
‘Ambulance crews were first to arrive at the property, where they discovered the woman deceased inside.
‘The death was not initially considered to be suspicious, but following police enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the incident, detectives now have reason to believe there may have been third-party involvement.
‘Officers arrested a 43-year-old man from Ipswich on suspicion of murder on Tuesday morning and he has been taken to Martlesham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.’