Police are continuing to investigate the death of a teenager whose body was found in a makeshift grave one year ago.
Kieran Williams went missing from his home on Esplanade West in Sunderland on April 18 last year. Police began searching for the 18 year old and his family made appeals for information.
Six weeks later, his body was discovered in a makeshift grave on a disused industrial estate south of the River Wear, between the Northern Spire Bridge and Claxheugh Rocks, on May 31.
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Kieran had been stabbed multiple times and his body had been set on fire.
Two men were charged in connection with his death. They stood trial at Newcastle Crown Court and they were both acquitted of murder.
One of the men, Louis Hackett, 20, of Fordenbridge Square, Sunderland, was found guilty of manslaughter and jailed for five years in March.
However, Mr Justice Jay told the court in Newcastle at the hearing that Kieran’s killer remains at large. He said: "This is the sort of case I will never forget as it's such an unusual case.
"I don't believe either of these young men were the stabber, it was someone else."
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, of Northumbria Police, is the senior investigating officer for the case. He has urged the public to help them to secure closure for Kieran’s family.
He said: "It has been one year since the body of Kieran Williams was tragically found – and justice has not yet been done for his family.
"This was a truly horrendous murder where a young man was brutally stabbed at least 23 times and left to die in a hidden grave for six weeks before he was located.
"As ever, our thoughts remain with Kieran’s loved ones as they continue to come to terms with their loss, and we remain committed to getting answers for them.
"I would like to thank them for their dignified approach whilst this complex investigation has been ongoing – and after an outcome at court that did not provide the closure they deserve.
"While Hackett was found guilty of manslaughter at a recent trial, our investigation remains very much open as we actively pursue a number of lines of enquiry.
"A dedicated team of detectives continue to comb through the evidence in this case and follow every avenue to identify any other offenders involved in Kieran’s murder."
Det Chief Insp Steel has urged anyone who knows anything about Kieran's death to "do the right thing" and get in touch.
He added: "And today, on the anniversary of Kieran’s body being found in such horrific circumstances, I am urging anyone who knows something about Kieran’s death to do the right thing and get in touch with police.
"It was well reported at trial that, in addition to Hackett’s, there were also other unidentified fingerprints found in the grave. And while enquiries are ongoing, we need support from the community to help identify anyone found to be involved and bring Kieran’s killers to justice.
"Simply put, Kieran’s murder continues to haunt his family day and night – so if not for our sake, please do the right thing for them to end their prolonged suffering.
"If you are reading this appeal and know something about the circumstances of Kieran’s death or other people involved, please do not delay in contacting police."
Kieran's step-grandmother Lorraine Williams has also pleaded with anyone who knows the identity of his killer or killers to turn them in.
The 51-year-old said: "I don't think we will ever find out why. It's just the not knowing, you can't get your head round it if you don't know why. It's just so hard.
"He was such a lovely lad, he just wanted to be one of the lads and part of the gang. He just wanted to fit in.
"There is no motive, nothing. We just don't know why, At the end of the day there's somebody out there, person or persons unknown, who are still walking about knowing what they've done."
Anyone with information about Kieran William’s death is asked to contact Northumbria Police as soon as possible.
They can do this through their dedicated Major Incident Public Portal online Public Portal (mipp.police.uk) or by calling 0191 437 4750.
Anyone who believes they have been at the site of the grave, formerly owned by Coles Cranes, between the Easter and Jubilee weekends of April 15 and June 2, for a legitimate reason, is also urged to get in touch.
This is so they can be eliminated from the investigation.
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