SIXTH ANNIVERSARY OF MURDER OF CRAIG EATON

AS friends and family mark the sixth anniversary of the murder of 22 year old care assistant Craig Eaton and his father, Tony has made an emotional appeal to anyone who knows anything about his son's death to come forward.

A reward of up to £10,000 is still being offered to members of the public by Crimestoppers who come forward with information about the murder of 22 year old Craig Eaton who was shot dead in Molyneux Road, Kensington, at about 11.15pm on Tuesday, 24 February 2010.

The reward is being offered by Crimestoppers and is available to anyone who gives information to the independent Crimestoppers line which leads to the arrest, charge and conviction of anyone linked to the death of Craig Eaton.

Craig, who worked at Alder Hey Childrens' Hospital in Liverpool, was fatally shot as he walked along Molyneux Road, Kensington, at about 11.15pm.

Craig's father, Tony Eaton, has made a heart-felt plea to anyone who has information which could help find those responsible for his son's death to come forward.

Tony Eaton, said:- "For the last six years my family and I have been living in purgatory trying to come to terms with the senseless death of a son and brother who didn't have a bad bone in his body. Craig was a really hardworking young lad who loved his job caring for children and did not have an enemy in the world. He was a fantastic young man who wanted to be a children's nurse. We have never come to terms with Craig's death and I would appeal to anyone who knows what happened on the night Craig was killed, and who is responsible, to come forward. Craig lived for three things, his family, his close friends and his job. We can't rest until the person who took him from us has been caught, if you know anything at all which could help the police please contact them."

On the night of the murder it is believed that Craig boarded the number 26 Arriva bus on Belmont Road and travelled to Sheil Road, Kensington. He sat near the front of the bus and it is believed that Craig got off at the bus stop on Sheil Road, just before the junction with Molyneux Road, between 11.05pm and 11.15pm.

Detectives believe there were other passengers who stayed on the bus when Craig got off. Three of the passengers have been identified, but detectives would like to speak to the other passengers who were on the bus as they may have information which could be vital.

Craig was making his way to a friend's house, and was on Molyneux Road near to the junction with Mallow Road, when he was shot twice. Local people tried to give him first aid and called the emergency services, but he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.

Detective Superintendent Lol Carr, said:- "Craig's death has had a devastating effect on his family and they can't rest until the person responsible for his death is brought to justice. We believe Craig may have been shot in a case of mistaken identity. He was a young man who was in the prime of his life and he had no link to any criminal elements. Family and friends have told us that Craig was..." ...continued...

...continued... "... passionate about his job caring for children at Alder Hey. In fact, on the day he died Craig had been to a friend's house and was trying to come to terms with the loss of a young patient who he had been caring for. He was on his way to another friend's home in Kensington when he was killed. Craig was a hard working person who loved his job as a carer at Alder Hey Childrens' Hospital. He was well liked and respected by his colleagues, patients and their families - his death can only be described as a wicked and callous act. for Craig's family and friends this has been a terrible tragedy and we are determined for their sake to find those responsible. I am appealing to anyone who may have information to contact us. We believe Craig may have been victim of mistaken identity and I would appeal to the consciences of those who were involved, or anyone who may know them, by asking them to come forward. There is a Crimestoppers reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible and I would urge anyone who may have information which could help us with our inquiries in to this tragic death to contact Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111."

On the night of the murder Craig was wearing a black cardigan over a light blue shirt, black trousers, and black shoes.

Detectives are also trying to trace the movements of two cars which were in the Molyneux Road area on the night of Craig's murder.  The first car, a dark Green Ford Mondeo, registration number Y723 RJA, with a brake light in the middle of the rear window, is believed to have been parked on Molyneux Road at the junction with Gilroy Street around the time of the murder. After the murder it is alleged the Mondeo was seen driving along Molyneux Road past the scene of the shooting, and turned left in to Mallow Road. The car was then seen turning left onto Malvern Road and left again onto Malden Road before back in to Molyneux Road. The Ford Mondeo was recovered by police, at the junction of Apollo Way and Barker Way, Anfield. It had been stolen from outside Lancashire Motor Radiator Company Limited, Great Homer Street, Kirkdale, between 2pm and 2.30pm on Monday, 23 February 2004. Detectives are appealing to anyone who may have any information about the Mondeo, particularly its whereabouts from the time it was stolen on Monday, 23 February, 2004, and when it was found on Wednesday, 3 March 2004.

Detectives are also appealing for more information about a silver / light Blue Volvo 740 GL saloon car (registration G690 NFR) believed to have been in the Molyneux Road area around the time of the murder. This car also had a brake light in the middle of the rear window and had a blowing exhaust, which made a distinctive noise. It is believed the car had been sold on the day of the murder. Again, detectives are trying to establish the movements of this car on Tuesday, 24 February 2004, until it was seized by police on Friday, 27 February 2004. They would also like to speak to the previous owner of the car as he/she may have valuable information.

If you can help the family get justice, then please do so.  Anyone who may have information which could the Merseyside Police with their inquiries should contact:- 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers anonymously on:- 0800 555 111.