Police are appealing for information on the murder of Craig Wilcox on the third anniversary of his disappearance.

Twenty eight year old Craig’s body was found at Dovestone’s Reservoir in Saddleworth six weeks after he had gone missing from a friend’s house in Failsworth. 

Six people were arrested at the time and were bailed but their bail has since lapsed.

Craig’s parents reported him missing and an investigation was launched by detectives in Oldham. The investigation established Craig had confided in a friend that he feared for his safety.

 On Monday 24 February 2014,  police were called to Dovestones Reservoir in Saddleworth, following reports that a body had been found.

 When officers attended, supported by an underwater search team, the body of 28-year-old Craig Wilcox was recovered from the water. 

A post-mortem examination was carried out, but the result was unascertained. 

Detectives have traced Craig’s phone from the night of 6 January 2014 and it was picked up leaving Newton Heath, close to where he lived at around 9.45pm. 

The phone travelled towards Oldham town centre and arrived in the Dovestones area at around 10.10pm. 

It was then traced to travel back towards Newton Heath at 10.30pm leaving a window of 20 minutes when Craig was at the reservoir.

Craig had no reason to be in Saddleworth that evening and had never visited the reservoir before. He did not drive or have any way of travelling to the area and there was also no car left at the scene where his body was found.

Detective Chief Inspector Terry Crompton from GMP’s Major Incident Team is leading the investigation. He said: “Three years have passed since Craig’s death and we will not give up. Our team of detectives is continuing to investigate and striving to get his family the justice they deserve.

“We need answers to our questions: what was Craig doing in Dovestones at that time of night? How did he get there? Who was he with? We know that someone out there has those answers.

“Imagine if your son, brother, or friend had been murdered, you would want people to come forward with information to find those responsible. Be brave and do the right thing.

“What we do know is that his phone was identified travelling from Newton Heath to Dovestones and arrived in the area at around 10.10pm and left 20 minutes later.

“Think back to the night of 6 January 2014 and get in touch if you saw anyone acting suspiciously or a car travelling to the area at that time of night.

“If you come forward with what you know I assure you that you will have our full support. Or if you don’t feel you can talk to police but you have information, you can speak to Crimestoppers anonymously.”
Craig’s parents, Carolyn and Stephen Wilcox said: “We are reminded of Craig every single day, we miss him. We live every day in a horrible dream and wonder what happened to him and why? What is so bad that you have to lose your life for? 


“Craig had plans for the rest of his life, plans that included his six-year-old son. He will never now be with his son at Christmas, birthdays, holidays and special days in his son’s life. His son asks questions about his dad, what do we tell him? Fortunately he has some memories, but he should have many more. 
“Craig didn’t lose his life, his life was taken from him and the people responsible for his death could do this to someone else. We wouldn’t want any other family to go through the sadness we feel every day. 
“We believe someone knows what happened to Craig. As a family, we are asking if anyone can help us find the answers we are looking for.” 

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