Fresh appeal into suspected murder of Sacriston miner Edward Donnelly

Edward Donnelly vanished without trace from his home in Sacriston in 2002.

Police believe that he was murdered, and an investigation was launched but, despite extensive and exhaustive enquiries over the years, no-one was ever convicted in connection with his death and his body has not been recovered.

Edward Donnelly (Image: Contributor)Read more: County Durham pensioner saved after suffering cardiac arrest during football match

However, detectives say they believe that there are members of the community who hold information which could bring the case to a close and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Lee Gosling, from Durham Constabulary, said: “We remain convinced that someone out there knows what happened to Edward Donnelly and we would appeal to them to come forward so we can finally get justice for his family after all these years.

"Detectives are now speaking to a number of people connected with the case and our major crime team are re-examining evidence which was collated at the time.”

Police searching for Edward after a tip off in 2016 (Image: Northern Echo)

Edward Donnelly shared a home with his sister in Fynway, Sacriston and she reported him missing on March 25, 2002.

The 53-year-old was last seen in Lloyds Bank, in Sacriston that morning.

Further sightings were also reported of him walking alone beside the A167 at Plasworth, near the Red Lion pub that day.

At the time of his disappearance, his sister said she had returned home later that day to find his keys and other documents posted through the letterbox.

Known to his family and friends as Eddie, Mr Donnelly enjoyed reading and walking in the Durham and Chester-le-Street area.

A former mineworker at Sacriston Pit, he was around 5ft 8in, pale and with mousey brown hair.

Despite extensive searches at locations in the area, including several abandoned mineworkings and pit shafts, officers were unable at that time to locate Mr Donnelly’s body and what began as a missing person’s inquiry became a murder investigation.

Edward was reported missing (Image: Contributor)

Forensic officers at a house in Sacriston in March 2005 (Image: Contributor)

In 2005, five people were arrested in connection with the inquiry, but all were released without charge.

Det Supt Gosling said police were determined to find Mr Donnelly and added: “Eddie Donnelly was a quiet and unassuming man and we have never given up on finding him.

“We have long held the belief that there are people in the village who know what happened to him and know who was involved.

“We would ask anyone with information to call us in confidence as a matter of urgency so that Eddie’s family and friends can have the closure they deserve.”

Anyone with information should contact investigators in confidence on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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