THE heartbroken family of Barnsley man who was murdered in his home launched a desperate appeal for answers on the first anniversary of his death.
Stafford Garner, 46, was found with serious head injuries in his home on Monsal Street, Thurnscoe, on April 2 last year and died in hospital three days later.
Investigations into the incident led police to claim there are ‘a number of people in the Thurnscoe area who know exactly what has happened to Stafford’.
Stafford’s death left his family heartbroken with his mother Gail Hatton, brothers Spencer and Shaw Garner, and sisters Cas Houghton and Steph Jones ‘torn apart’ by his death.
A statement released by the 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 normally celebrated such as 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.”
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 investigation.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Palmer, leading the investigation, said: “We now believe that Stafford was assaulted in his home some time on March 31 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 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.
“Were you on Monsal Street on March 31, 2020? Did you see anyone, on foot or in a car who may be able to help with our enquiry?
“Do you know who was with Stafford when he was assaulted? Any information, no matter how small could make the difference.
“We have a family which has been devastated by Stafford’s death, children who have lost their dad. They deserve answers.”
If you can help, please call 101 quoting incident number 494 of April 2.
You can also give information anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling on 0800 555 111.
