Anniversary appeal at Hove murder scene

18 February 2013

Sussex Police officers will this evening (Monday 18 February) be revisiting the pitch and putt area of Hove where the body of Lea Williams was found on Monday 11 February and handing out flyers to passers-by for information to help catch his killer(s).

Lea's body was discovered by local project workers in an archway also referred to as the 'back caves' at around 8.30pm. A post mortem revealed he died from severe injuries to his face and head caused by a heavy object. Other injuries to his body included multiple fractures to his ribs.

Detective Inspector Wendy Burton from Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team said: "It's one week since Lea's body was discovered with appalling injuries in an archway overlooking the pitch and putt in Hove. Detectives and local neighbourhood officers have been working round the clock to find his killer(s). I cannot stress enough how important it is for anyone who knew Lea or knows why someone would want to inflict such horrendous injuries on him, to please get in touch. His killer(s) must be caught and brought to justice.

"Between 6pm and 8pm this evening (18 February) uniformed officers will be handing out flyers to passers-by who may have been in the area leading up to the discovery of Lea's body, heard or saw suspicious activity but thought it not relevant at the time. The flyers feature two images of Lea, a description and an appeal for information.

"I would like to thank those members of the street community and local residents, who knew Lea, and have already contacted us. However, I believe there are others who have not yet come forward and may hold vital information and clues as to why Lea was savagely attacked and killed."

Lea Williams was 5' 9" of slim build with short brown hair, brown beard and had a distinctive barbed wire tattoo across his collar bone. He quite often wore glasses with very thick lenses. The last reported sighting of him was around on 8.45am the morning of Sunday 10 February in the alcove where he had been living for the past year. Please call 101 quoting Op Depot or alternatively leave an anonymous message with the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you knew him or know his killer(s).