Mystery of Salford murder five months after the discovery of a body

Five months after the body of a murder victim was found on the edge of playing fields in Salford mystery still surrounds the case. The remains of Tanyaradzwa Julius Matera, 43, known to his family as Julius, were discovered at about 2.35am on December 7.

It is believed the body had been on the perimeter of Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club for several weeks. In what police describe as a "complex pathological examination" no cause of death has yet been established but a pathologist's report is anticipated later this month.

Julius arrived in the UK in 2001 from Zimbabwe and moved to the Manchester area in 2012. He was living in accommodation in Eccles, found for him by the Home Office, while he awaited a decision on his status regarding his request to stay in the UK.

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But on October 24 last year he was reported missing. He did not work as he was not able to while attempting to resolve his bid for legal residency in the UK. His body was found over six weeks later.

As a result of information received, police searched an area of rough ground and dense shrubbery at Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club - situated behind a house in Great Cheetham Street West, Salford. The human remains of Julius were found a short time later.

Three people have been arrested for murder but mystery still surrounds his death. His cousin and next of kin in the UK, June Matera, has reached out to the people of Salford with a call for help.

June described her cousin as a "soft, always smiling, and quiet", although she admitted that he "liked to drink". But she added: "He wasn't violent, he wasn't boisterous. He was so chilled, so calm."

She said that she