Police recreate scene where murdered teen found
BBC/Jim ScottDetectives investigating the murder of a teenager have recreated a makeshift grave where his remains were found.
Kieran Williams, 18, was discovered near a disused industrial estate, between the Northern Spire Bridge and Claxheugh Rocks, in Sunderland six weeks after disappearing from his home in April 2022.
Louis Hackett was found guilty of manslaughter and another man was acquitted of murder. A judge concluded his killer was still at large.
Northumbria Police said officers were carrying out "test excavations" to help them determine what happened on the night of his death.
The recreation is being carried out at a similar time of year to when the body was found, to make conditions more accurate.
Officers are recreating different scenarios to determine how long it might have taken a person or group to dig the grave, or whether it was dug before the teenager's death.
The force said a number of fingerprints were present at the scene, which are yet to be identified.
Handout
BBC/Jim ScottSenior investigating officer, Det Supt Matt Steel, said it was a "horrific case" involving a young man who was "brutally stabbed 23 times".
He said while one offender was found guilty of manslaughter, the investigation was "very much active".
"We have continued to seek answers for his loved ones ever since," he said.
"There are a number of other unidentified fingerprints left at the scene of the murder.
"Ultimately someone somewhere knows who they might belong to and is keeping quiet."
He said there would be an increased police presence in the surrounding area while the operation took place.
"We'd continue to urge anyone who can assist our investigation to do the right thing and get in touch with police," he added.
Last week, the force announced it was getting fingerprints from residents in the community as part of its inquiry on the fourth anniversary of the murder.
