An inquest into the death of Tanyaradzwa Julius Matera has dramatically named three suspects amid accusations he had been 'chopped up', in a case a wall of silence has kept unsolved for three years.
Coroner Timothy Brennand described the 43-year-old, known as Julius, as 'quite literally a gentle man' and 'very easy company', a valued member of Salford's Zimbabwean community. But he was a functioning alcoholic and wasn't 'choosing his friends wisely' - parts of his life that could hold the key to solving his mysterious death.
Body found in Japanese knotweed
Julius was pronounced dead by paramedics at ten minutes past noon on December 8, 2023. His remains were hidden in Japanese knotweed on the edge of playing fields used by Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club in Salford. In fact, his life had ended weeks earlier, on the night of October 13 and 14, when he suffered catastrophic blood loss.
For three years Greater Manchester Police has investigated the case. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of his murder but no one has been charged. All three have been released.
Wall of silence
A wall of silence has meant his family have been denied justice in what they believe is a case of murder. Following the inquest at Bolton coroners court, chief reporter Neal Keeling reports how that wall may now finally be crumbling.
North Manchester regeneration
Manchester has long had its own north/south divide, one that neatly apes the disparities of the country as a whole. For several years town hall chiefs have been working on plans to bridge that gap with a huge £6bn programme of major regeneration projects.
It includes a landmark scheme to rebuild North Manchester General Hospital, major plans to build homes for 40,000 people in Collyhurst and ambitious proposals to transform high streets in Cheetham Hill, Moston, Harpurhey, Gorton and Newton Heath.
"We have to recognise that north Manchester still has communities with unacceptable levels of deprivation and areas that are still recovering from major deindustrialisation and stagnation that ripped the heart from local economies and left thousands of people workless," new Manchester council leader Garry Bridges said in his first interview in the top job.
Oasis documentary at Venice
What's On editor Jenna Campbell spent the weekend at the Venice Film Festival for the premiere of the Oasis reunion documentary Don't Look Back in Anger. Noel and Liam Gallagher appeared together at the festival.
Christie campaign
This week a joint fundraiser has been launched to revolutionise cancer care at The Christie in south Manchester. The aim is to raise £42.5m to construct a groundbreaking new scanning centre as demand for vital diagnostic imaging triples.
The existing unit was built nearly 50 years ago to cater for around 20 patients a day. Now, it treats more than 60. The Manchester Evening News is backing The Christie Charity's £42.5m appeal. Every donation will help pave the way for the new scanning centre and give thousands of cancer patients access to faster and more advanced care.
Tuesday will be mild and damp, with temperatures reaching 17C and the likelihood of a few showers from mid-morning onwards. Devonshire Street in Ardwick is closed in both directions due to gas main work from the A6 to Coverdale Crescent.
