THE children of a murdered woman have appealed for information to catch her killer, 35 years after she died.

Josephine Backshall, 39, went missing after leaving her home, in Maldon, for an appointment in Witham, on October 29, 1974.

Her body was found strangled less than three days later, in a field near Bishop’s Stortford.

Police have now launched a fresh investigation, to coincide with the anniversary of her death.

Her children, Christopher, Sarah and Emma, who were 12, ten and seven when their mum was killed, issued a joint statement, saying: “Our loving mother’s life was taken away from us when we were so young, and we have endured 35 years of not knowing why, or by whom, she was murdered.

“Not only was she denied the pleasure of seeing us grow up, we now have families of our own, of whom she would have been extremely proud.”

A few years after the murder of their mother, their father Clifford remarried. He died 12 years ago.

The children said their father was very protective of them after the murder and did not talk about it much.

Christopher, 47, said: “As far as we can remember, she was just a normal mum. It was quite a difficult time with us all being quite young.

“We were too young at the time to get too involved with the investigation, but we would like there to be an outcome.”

He urged anyone with information to come forward.

Christopher added: “However small or unnecessary a thing it may seem, it may help to piece together the jigsaw.”

Mrs Backshall had received a call from a man, who may have been called Peter, from a payphone, in Bradwell, on the day she left home.

She may also have been in the Fountain pub, in Good Easter, on the same evening.

She was reported missing the next day and found two days later in a field, fully clothed, and with her hands tied in front of her. She had been strangled.

Her red Ford Cortina was found in Collingwood Road, Witham.

The Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Cold Case Review Unit is leading the invesitgation.

Anyone with information is asked to call Richard Moulder on 0845 3300222 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.