Family of Thurnscoe murder victim appeals for answers almost a year on from his death

THE family of Thurnscoe murder victim Stafford Garner has urged those with information to come forward with the answers they desperately need - almost a year since the 46-year-old was found seriously injured.

Mr Garner was found by paramedics at his home on Monsal Street, Thurnscoe, exactly 12 months ago tomorrow and died three days later.

In a statement released today, Mr Garner’s family said: “The last 12 months have been incredibly difficult for us as a family, it still doesn’t feel real that Stafford isn’t with us anymore.

"The milestones that are normally celebrated – birthdays, Christmas, new jobs and so on - are all just a reminder that life is moving on without Staf.

“We need to know what happened to him so that we can start to rebuild our lives. Please, if you know anything at all, just come forward and tell somebody.

"If you don’t want to speak directly to the police, there are other ways. The most important thing is that you tell somebody what you know.”

After being found seriosuly injured at his home at around 4.40pm on April 2 last year, Mr Garner was taken to hospital where he remained in a critical condition until his death on Sunday, April 5, 2020.

Two men aged 30 and 42 were arrested on suspicion of murder and subsequently released under investigation

Three other men who were also arrested on suspicion of murder are no longer being linked to this inquiry, a police spokeswoman said.

Lead investigator, Det Chief Insp Simon Palmer, said: “We now believe that Stafford was assaulted in his home some time on Tuesday, March 31 last year, before being discovered two days later, on April 2.

“Despite the best efforts of the paramedics who were first to the scene and those who treated him in hospital, very sadly, he lost his life on Sunday, April 5.

“Thurnscoe is a small and very tight-knit community. I believe there is somebody in the area who knows what happened to Stafford, and today I am appealing directly to them to come forward and tell us what they know.

“We have a family which has been devastated by Stafford’s death, children who have lost their dad - they deserve answers.”

Anyone with information should call 101 quoting incident number 494 of April 2, 2020 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

To submit information online to the investigation team, head to the Major Incident Public Portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/14SY20B03-PO1