“It’s never going to go away.She had multiple wounds to her head as well as a ligature mark around her neck.

He had allegedly posed as a charming doctor escorting a group of patients who had also absconded from Runwell.“It makes me wonder if anybody is ever convicted whether it will make any difference.”Despite three potential suspects being identified – including “Devil’s Disciple” Patrick Mackay – her death remains a mystery.The other two cases were allowed to lie on file – meaning prosecutors believed they had enough evidence but a trial was felt not to be in the public interest.

But Mackay, who was previously the UK’s longest serving prisoner, confessed to four other murders while rotting in jail before retracting his statements.Officers believed they had a breakthrough when an arrest was made following the discovery of a bloodstained carpet.But again, no further information was found and the claims became just another theory over the killing.By Holly Christodoulou, Digital Court Editor

Despite his grisly crimes, Mackay – dubbed the “most dangerous man in Britain” – became a forgotten serial killer.”We would urge anyone who may have information about Ivy’s murder to do the right thing and come forward.

But fluids found on the carpet did not match anyone in the police database so the case went cold.Ivy’s horrific killing became known as the “Orange Tree Murder” after the cafe she owned by the same name in Westcliff, Essex.

MYSTERY CALL

But Mackay has never been arrested or charged over the horrific case.The monster was convicted of three killings at trial but is suspected of a further eight. His first victim was widow Isabella Griffiths, 87, who was strangled and stabbed at her home in Chelsea.The killer admitted he knew Ivy’s cafe and had considered robbing it – leading some to suspect he had murdered the mum in a burglary gone wrong.Among those suspected of being Mackay’s other victims are popular cafe owner Ivy.The brute butchered Father Anthony Crean, 63, using his fists, a knife and an axe, before leaving his mutilated body in a bath full of bloody water.A spokesperson told The Sun Online: “Ivy Davies was found murdered in her home in Holland Road, Westcliff, on February 4, 1975. Essex Police have issued a fresh plea for information and confirmed the case remains open.The killer also allegedly confessed to four other murders while rotting in jail – including Stephanie Britton and her four-year-old grandson Christopher Martin in 1974.”Over time loyalties change, but what has not changed is the pain Ivy’s family endure by knowing that her killer has not yet faced justice.”Police said the person had more details about Ivy’s details than had previously been released but they never came forward again.He was charged with five counts of murder but was convicted of three counts of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

DEPRAVED Patrick Mackay, 67, at one stage was the UK’s longest serving prisoner after being convicted of a gruesome killing spree across London and Kent in 1975.Then in 2004, a mystery caller phoned Crimestoppers claiming to have information on the murder.Police immediately launched a murder probe and took more than 900 statements as they hunted for the killer.The “psycho” hacked-up the body of a priest in a bathtub and is said to have slaughtered a widow and her four-year-old grandson.The mum-of-seven had been battered to death with a steel tool and had one side of her body “ripped apart”.Speaking previously, he said: “The way she was killed was his MO (modus operandi).Now, on the 50th anniversary of her killing, we revisit a chilling murder that horrified the nation.Anyone with information can call police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

One person who believes Mackay is behind Ivy’s death though is her son, Victor.Ivy’s skull had also been shattered by a steel pry bar, which was found close to her body.