Murder Jacket Appeal

31 December 2010, 06:00 | Updated: 31 December 2010, 09:34

Police investigating a Suffolk murder are asking for help to find a jacket which they think could help them.

The family of a man who was found dead in Ipswich on Christmas Day has now been traced by police as they appeal for help from the town’s residents and retailers in finding an item of clothing.The body of 45-year-old Martin Edwards was found in his flat on Old Foundry Road on Christmas morning. A provisional post-mortem examination result showed that he had died from multiple injuries.Detectives are looking to trace a discarded jacket which has become part of their investigation. Officers believe it has been thrown away in a dustbin or lying around as waste. It is described as white-and-dark checked, with a lighter-coloured hood.

A police spokesman said: “This appeal goes out to everyone in the town, but in particular to those who live on Limerick Close, Old Foundry Road and Norwich Road. We ask that anyone who does find it, does not touch it and instead contacts us immediately.”

Family liaison officers have now been able to locate the brothers of Martin Edwards in south-east London and Sussex.
Three people are currently remanded in court custody after having been charged with Martin Edwards’ murder. Patrick Heggarty, a 51-year-old unemployed man from Limerick Close; 37-year-old unemployed Christopher Page of no fixed address and 28-year-old unemployed Timothy Bailey also of no fixed address were all charged with one count of murder each. They are due to appear at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday 11 March, 2011.

A 36-year-old woman is currently on police bail until Wednesday 9 March, 2011 pending further enquiries.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the jacket is urged to contact detectives from the Major Investigation Team at Suffolk Police on 01473 613500 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.