The killer of a Wythenshawe man who was fatally injured outside a nightclub in Benidorm over three years ago remains at large as police appeal for witnesses or anyone with information about the person responsible to get in touch.
Michael – also known as Mike – Rydings was 47-years-old when he went on holiday to the Spanish town with a group of friends to celebrate a birthday and watch the 2018 football world cup.
He was involved in an altercation in the early hours of 23 June 2018 on the Benidorm Square with a man who was part group of five or six men, during which Mike was assaulted and hit the ground causing critical injuries.
After spending a month unconscious in a local hospital, Mike was repatriated to Salford Royal Hospital where he spent the remaining year of his life before he sadly died in August 2019.
Enquiries were conducted by Spanish authorities but no offender has ever been brought to justice for Mike’s killing.
Detectives from GMP’s Major Incident Team have since spoken to over 15 English holidaymakers from across the country who were there on the night – from County Durham to Hertfordshire – as police continue to prepare a file for the coroner ahead of an inquest into Mike’s death in April this year.
They have released images of Mike – who was employed in construction and an avid Manchester United supporter – which includes him wearing a red t-shirt that we think he may have been wearing on the night of the attack as it wasn’t included in his return luggage from Spain.
The man suspected of assaulting Mike is described as a white man ages in his 20s or 30s, with a larger than average build, 5ft 7ins to 6ft tall and was possibly wearing camouflage clothing.
Anyone who may have information or remember anything that may resonate from a trip to Benidorm in the summer of 2018 is urged to contact police with any details they may have
a joint statement Mike’s daughter, Hayley Barker, and sister, Nikki Howard, said: “Mike spent 13 months in Salford Royal Hospital on the Critical Care Unit where he was unable to speak or move. Only his eyes were his very limited communication via blinking although most of the time his injury was so extreme that very often Mike was completely unaware of where he was, who his family were and more importantly, who he was!
“At the age of 47-years-old, a father and a grandfather, his life had changed forever relying on every single medical resource available in order for him to survive, unable to breathe unaided, unable to tell you how he was feeling, unable to even hold your hand! And it happened due to one vicious incident, in an instant but this nightmare didn’t end there.
“After extensive medical intervention, family daily visits and praying that Mike would recover and be able to live the rest of his life, it was cut short. His condition was never going to improve; his quality of life was so limited that the kindest but incredibly heart-breaking decision was to let him go.
“On Sunday 11 August 2019 Mike took his last breath and passed away at the age of 48-years-old – leaving his family totally devastated and his friends in despair. How could a 50th celebration end in such a tragic way?
“Mike was a father, grandfather, son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend to many. Mike was full of energy, the life and soul of the party; a practical joker, generous to a fault, enjoying all aspects of life and his beloved Manchester United.
“Someone somewhere knows who this person is.
“Were you with him? Is he your friend or partner? All Mike’s family and friends want is some justice for him. The person who did this is continuing to live a full life, but he could repeat this attack on a member of your family and change your life forever!
“We as a family have a huge hole in it which can and never will be filled. Mike has missed out on so much already and will continue to do so which we cannot change. But we can change the fact that he died without justice. Please, please let the police know if you have any information at all, no matter how small you think it may be, it takes more than one piece to complete a jigsaw.”
Anyone with information should contact our Major Incident Team on 0161 856 6777 quoting Operation Thurston.
