DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Silkstone Common man Gary Dean believe someone may be covering for the attacker.
Mr Dean, 48, was found close to the Trans Pennine Trail near Moorend Lane in Silkstone Common on September 6 with head injuries.
A 40-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder and a 76-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender have been released under investigation.
DCI Steve Whittaker said: “Over the last two weeks we have worked tirelessly to identify the person responsible for this terrible crime. Two people have been arrested in connection but this is still very much a live investigation.
“Gary had head injuries and other extensive injuries on his body. This was a severe sustained attack on Gary which makes it even more tragic.
“Gary was found two weeks ago in this beautiful part of the world. He was found down an embankment close to a field, and we believe he may have been killed early in the morning. We believe the attacker may be known to Gary.
“There are lots of questions unanswered. I don’t know why anyone would want to do this to Gary.
“Everything about him tells me he was a nice chap who cared for other people. If someone is shielding the attacker, or knows someone who is, put yourself in Gary’s wife and family’s shoes.
“We are asking people to come forward and bring some justice for Gary and his family. Do you know Gary? Did you see him that morning? Do you have information which may assist us in identifying who is responsible for the murder of Gary? Contact the police.”
DCI Whittaker said rumours had circulated about Gary’s character which he would not elaborate on and dismissed them as nonsense. But Mr Dean’s wife Caroline said they may have had some bearing on what had happened to him.
She said: “They are completely unfounded and untrue.”
Mrs Dean said she also thought it was a possibility that someone had been waiting for Gary.
She said: “He had many friends and his death has shocked and saddened so many people beyond his immediate family.
“Gary was an only child and his parents are devastated and broken by what has happened. No one can comprehend why anyone would do this.
“We’ve shared so many happy times together, had so much fun and lived life to the max. We were both looking forward to our future together and had so many plans. This has all been taken away from us.
“All of us are haunted by the fact that the last moments of Gary’s life were so brutal and violent and feel no one deserves to die like this, particularly in a place where they found so much peace.
“I just hope the person capable of this is brought to justice for the sake of his family and friends who loved him so much, and so that this cannot happen to anyone else.
“There aren’t words to describe how I feel about who may have done this.
“But it shows that they have a real capacity for violence, and that the person or persons are out there and could do this to someone else is frightening.
“All I ask is that anyone with any information, not matter how small, contacts the police.”
