Detectives hunt the killer of a man who died from severe head injuries

A renewed murder appeal was held yesterday to find the killer of Headley Barry Thomas, commonly known as Barry. He was found unconscious in Penn Park, off Maher Gardens in Old Trafford at 2.30pm on Monday 12 September 2022, with severe head injuries.

Witness appeal for Barry Thomas' killer

Barry sadly lost his fight for life on Sunday 2 October 2022. He was just 51-years-old.

Eight weeks to the day after Barry was found lying on the ground next to a bench, detectives from the Major Incident Team launched a murder appeal within the park where Barry was attacked and subsequently found.

Posters were put up at every entrance of the park and officers handed out over 150 leaflets to people going in and out of the park as part of their daily routine, in the hope that it would jog people’s memories.

Senior investigating officer, DCI Gareth Davies, who led the appeal yesterday, said: “This is a very busy park and we are confident there must be someone who saw Barry just prior to the assault, or indeed, even witnessed the assault.

“It was at a time of day when there was plenty of footfall in the park, with school and college pupils and people going about their daily business. So, we know for a fact that Monday 12 September was no different.

“We are encouraging anyone who may have seen Barry, or indeed the bike he was seen riding just prior to the vicious assault eight weeks ago, to come forward and speak to us. You can do this in complete confidence and we will treat the information you provide sensitively.

“Barry’s family are trying to make sense of what has happened to him and are desperately searching for answers. It is our wish to be able to provide them with the information they need to be able to come to terms with Barry’s death and begin the grieving process.

“So if you were in or around Penn Park on Monday 12 September 2022 between 12 noon and 3pm, please get in touch with us. You may not know that you have seen anything, but the information that you provide may be the key to solving this senseless and violent crime.

“If we can find out where Barry’s bike went after the attack, then this could also provide us with answers to some of the questions that we have.

“Information including photographs and video footage can be submitted through our dedicated portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP22M15-PO1. If you were handed a leaflet, then you will see a QR code at the bottom, which, if you scan it with your phone, it will take you to this portal.

“Alternatively, ring us on 0161 856 1995, or use our Live Chat service at www.gmp.police.uk quoting log number 1983 of the 12 September 2022. As always, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

DCI Gareth Davies of the Major Incident Team