THE FAMILY of a man murdered in Evesham ten years ago today have appealed to anyone who knows where his body is to get in touch.
Jesse Richards was killed in Cleeve Prior in a merciless and sustained attack over a drugs debt.
In 2012, five men were jailed in connection with the 40-year-old’s death, collectively sentenced to more than 50 years in prison.
But despite the convictions, Jesse’s body was never found.
Detectives believe the body was originally taken to Warwickshire where it was hidden.
Searches have taken place place at a site near Corley as recently as May last year but nothing of significance was found.
Jesse’s mum Lucy Richards has also reiterated her appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
She said: “Jesse would be 50 years old now and, although I know nothing will bring my son back to me, I appeal to the public and ask they put themselves in my shoes and please get in touch with police if you have any information at all.
“My son was taken from me in the most violent way and, ten years on, I have still not been able to lay his body to rest.
“I don’t know where he is and the pain of not being able to visit his resting place is too much to bear.”
Det Supt Mark Loader added: “It is now the tenth anniversary of Jesse’s death and the investigation into the whereabouts of his body remains very much open.
“Although his killers were brought to justice for their crimes, his family continues to suffer.
“We know some individuals have information, which could lead us to Jesse’s body, and are still choosing not to come forward.”
He appealed to them, their families and associates who had any knowledge of what happened to the body to consider the pain the Gloucester man’s family continued to suffer so long after his death and to call the police or Crimestoppers.
A £10,000 reward is still available for information leading to the successful discovery of Jesse’s body.
Anyone with any information should call DS Gareth Evans on 101 or 07977 068033 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
