Fresh appeal for answers over suspicious death
Posted on 17th March 2008
Detectives investigating the death of a man found in the River Trent today appealed for more information to help his family find answers about the night he disappeared.
Robert Keetley, 37, was last seen in the New Foresters pub in Nottingham on Sunday 29 April 2007. He was reported missing but despite attempts to locate him, his body was found in the river on Tuesday 8 May. His death is being treated as suspicious.
Jacqueline Mirfin, Robert’s mother, said: “Our ‘Bobby’ is one of the sweetest people I have ever known. He always had a smile on his face and would make you laugh.
“He would call me every day, to see how I was, and what I had been up to. Now if the phone rings in the morning I can’t answer it as I start to think it is going to be Bobby.
“Mother’s Day was hard, we were very close and Bobby would never forget it. I had to spend it with only one of my sons. It has left a massive hole.”
Robert’s older brother, Alan, spoke of the frustration of not knowing what happened to Bobby or how he came to be in the river.
Alan Keetley, said: “We have so many memories of Bobby. Growing up Bobby was cheeky, daft and funny. He would’ve talked to anyone, but maybe this made him an easy target? We don’t know what happened that night, or why he ended up in the river. Why did this happen?
“It is the not knowing. We would appeal to anyone who has any information to help us. Think how it would affect you if it was your brother or son.”
Jacqueline continued: “We have all been left in limbo. We have no answers and until we do we can’t even begin to get over it.”
Robert and Alan were both given identical Armani watches by their mother for Christmas in 2006.
Robert’s has never been found.
Alan said: “I only wear mine for special occasions but Bobby wore his all the time. Someone out there must know where it is. We would ask that anyone who has any information about where it is or what happened to Bobby to come forward.”
The watch with a black face and silver metal strap was missing along with a Motorola Motokrzrk1 mobile phone, and a gold chain containing a letter ‘R’ pendant.
Detective Inspector Adrian Morgan, who is leading the investigation, said: “There is no reason why Robert would have got into the River Trent voluntarily. Add the fact that valuable items of property are missing and it is highly suspicious.
“We believe he may have been a victim of a robbery.”
DI Morgan continued: “We are aware people will have been coming and going to a birthday party at the Toll Bridge Inn during the early hours of Sunday 29 April. We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen Robert in the area or know of anything that happened to him.
“A number of arrests have been made but no one has yet been charged with any offences linked to Robert’s death.
“I want to reassure those who know anything to come forward. You may feel that what you know is irrelevant or insignificant but that information could be the missing piece of the jigsaw. You may have been told something from a relative, boyfriend or girlfriend and your information could help give Robert’s family some answers.
“Robert’s family needs to know what happened. Someone out there knows the answers. If people want to speak to me personally, I am available to discuss how they can help us establish what happened.”
Anyone with any information is asked to call the incident room on 0115 844 5017 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
