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Fresh appeal over ten year murder inquiry

Updated on 7th November 2012

The tenth anniversary of a man’s murder in Nottingham has sparked a fresh appeal for information.
The body of John Shippam, 25, was discovered at a flat in Chiltern Way, Bestwood, around 10.45am on 7 November 2002.

He had been living there for a few weeks and died from gunshot wounds.

Despite significant enquiries over the last decade, no one has been brought to justice for his murder.

Today (Wednesday 7 November 2012), ten years’ since his death, his family have joined Nottinghamshire Police in issuing an appeal for information.

DCI Rob Griffin, who is leading the murder investigation, said:  “For John’s parents, siblings and friends, it has been a long ten years living without him.

“We want to use this anniversary as an opportunity to appeal to anyone who may have information about what happened to him or to find the person or people responsible.

“John was killed some time between 3.30am and 10.30am on the morning of 7 November 2002. From our enquiries we know that he associated with a number of people who had criminal connections, especially in the Bestwood area, which is where he had grown up.

“We are also aware that John was assaulted two days before his murder, while at a bonfire event at the Anchor pub, in Gunthorpe. It is highly likely this is linked to his death, and I would urge anyone with information about that to also contact us.

“Time can change people’s mindset, their allegiances may have changed, and issues that might have caused concern back in 2002 may no longer be an influence.

“Think about how you would feel if it was your son, brother, or nephew. You would want to see justice and whoever had done this behind bars, help us to get that for John’s family.”

Josie Shippam, John’s mother, now 53, said: “John was a loving son, who we miss dearly.

“We know he was involved with some bad people, but even so, who deserves a fate like that?

“The last ten years has been incredibly hard for us, we know there are people out there who are fully aware of who did this to our son, and yet they are still able to live their lives – something that John was never allowed to do. If you know something about what happened, please speak to the police.

“The photo issued today was the last time I hugged John – we have not been able to hug as a family since then, without him.  The other picture is John as a young boy with one of his brothers, Peter.

“We don’t want to have to go another ten years of not knowing, so if you know anything, no matter how insignificant you think it may be, please help us.”

DCI Griffin continued: “There may be people who lived in Bestwood at the time of John’s murder, who saw or heard something that they know is linked to this investigation. I would appeal to them to speak to us, in confidence, so we can get justice for John’s family.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the incident room at St Ann’s on 0115 844 5017 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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