Detectives investigating the murder of Colchester man James Attfield have stressed they will not stop in the search for his killer, as his friends and family gather together for his funeral today.

East Anglian Daily Times: Photo taken from CCTV footage issued by Essex Police of Nahid Almanea, 31.Photo taken from CCTV footage issued by Essex Police of Nahid Almanea, 31.

James’s body was discovered in Lower Castle Park in the early hours of Saturday, March 29, with 102 stab wounds to his body. A rewards of £10,000 is currently available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for his death.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Worron said: “This is going to be an extremely difficult day for his family and I would like to thank them for all the help they have given us as we continue to investigate his death.

“They have my assurance that we are committed to finding out the person or people responsible for his murder and we are doing everything we can to bring them to justice.”

Police are now also beginning to build a clearer picture of the people they want to speak to who may have been on or near the Salary Brook Trail on the morning of June 17, when Nahid Almanea was murdered.

Officers are still keen to find a man seen in the area between 10.20-10.40am wearing a distinctive beige jacket, described as being an Italian designer item.

Police would also like to speak with a female dog walker who was seen walking from the underpass with a number of dogs and a man walking two Staffordshire Bull Terrier-type dogs seen coming from Scarfe Way at around the time of the incident.

Two cyclists are also understood to have been in the area at the time and it is believed they may have seen Nahid attacked while officers would also like to talk to a man seen running up Hewes Close, away from the Salary Brook Trail, at about 10.55am.

A reward of £10,000 has also been offered to anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Nahid’s death.

If you can assist officers with any information, call 01245 282103 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.