Locked inside horrible dream

APPEAL . . . Carolyn and Stephen Wilcox

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WHAT is so bad you have to lose your life for?

That's the chilling question a grieving mum and dad are still asking three years on from their son's unsolved murder.

Carolyn and Stephen Wilcox have described their lives as "a horrible dream" since their son Craig's body was recovered from Dovestone Reservoir in Saddleworth on the morning of February 24, 2014.

On the third anniversary since Craig Wilcox disappeared on January 6, detectives vowed to continue investigating the 28-year-old's murder as they seek justice for his family.

After he was reported missing ­- he was last seen at the home of relatives in Norfolk Crescent, Failsworth ­- detectives established that Craig, who had a son (now six-years-old), confided in a friend that he feared for his safety.

On February 24, police were called to Dovestone Reservoir following reports that a body had been found. It was identified as Craig. A post-mortem was carried out, but the result was unascertained.

Detectives traced his phone from the night he went missing and it was picked up leaving Newton Heath close to where he lived at around 9.45pm where it travelled towards Oldham town centre and arrived in the Dovestone area at around 10.10pm.

It then travelled back towards Newton Heath at 10.30pm, leaving a window of 20 minutes where Craig was at the reservoir.

He had no reason to be in Saddleworth that evening and had never visited the reservoir before, nor did he drive or have any way of travelling to the area. No car was left at the scene where his body was found.

Six men were arrested in connection with Craig's death but were not charged.

Det Chf Insp Terry Crompton, leading the investigation, appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: "Three years have passed since Craig's death and we will not give up. Our team of detectives is continuing to investigate and striving to get his family the justice they deserve.

"To those people responsible, my message is we are never going to give up on this and they will keep having to look over their shoulders until we get to the bottom of the inquiry and understand exactly what happened on that night."

He said: "It is incredibly important for the family, they are going through a living nightmare and it's a particularly difficult time for them now just after Christmas being reminded of his death at this time of year.

"Certainly driving in today you realise how terrified he must have been on the night on the long drive in. That would have been incredibly terrifying for Craig so I'd like people to think about that and to help out. I'm sure the people with information can come forward and help us out.

"Imagine if your son, brother, or friend had been murdered, you would want people to come forward with information to find those responsible. Be brave and do the right thing."

Carolyn and Stephen Wilcox said: "We are reminded of Craig every single day, we miss him. We live every day in a horrible dream and wonder what happened to him and why? What is so bad you have to lose your life for?

"Craig had plans for the rest of his life, plans that included his six-year-old son. He will never now be with his son at Christmas, birthdays, holidays and special days in his son's life. His son asks questions about his dad, what do we tell him? Fortunately he has some memories, but he should have many more.

"Craig didn't lose his life, his life was taken from him and the people responsible for his death could do this to someone else. We wouldn't want any other family to go through the sadness we feel every day.

"We believe someone knows what happened to Craig. As a family, we are asking if anyone can help us find the answers we are looking for."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0161-856 9283 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.