Family release plea for answers, nearly 30 years on from mystery pub murder

Paul McGrath was killed in what police have described as a "brutal attack" in 1997

Author: Liam ArrowsmithPublished 18th Oct 2024

Detectives investigating the mystery murder of a man killed after walking home from a pub in Denton are making a fresh appeal for answers, nearly 30 years on.

Paul McGrath was stabbed 18 times in what police have described as a "brutal" and "frenzied" attack, in the early hours of Monday 07 April, 1997.

His body was discovered by workmen later that morning, who saw him lying at the foot of his stairs, with the front door slightly open.

Two men were arrested on suspicion of murder, but were acquitted following a lengthy trial in 1998.

Police believe the 34-year-old was targeted, and are asking for anyone who knows anything about the attack to get in touch with them.

They say Paul's elderly mother, Vera, who is 85, is desperate to know what happened to her son.

In an emotional plea, Paul's sister Gillian said: "I saw my mum bury her son and it was the worst thing in the world to witness.

"My mum, along with the rest of our family, goes to Paul’s grave to lay flowers on his birthday every year and we have done this for the last 27 years.

"We just wish that we knew exactly what happened to our Paul and see those who brutally killed him to be brought to justice.”

Detective Constable Matthew Sharkey from GMP’s Cold Case Unit, said: “We know there are people out there who are able to tell us what they know and what they saw all those years ago.

“Although it was nearly 30 years ago, you can’t just forget what you saw, it will be playing on the mind of someone who knows something, and I hope their conscience will allow them to speak to us after all this time – please come and tell us the truth.

"Your information could help a grieving family know what happened to their beloved son and it is never too late to come forwards."

A £50,000 reward for information about Paul's murder is still on offer.

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