A year ago today Peter and Sylvia Stuart were reported missing from their home in Mill Lane, Weybread, near Diss by their daughter Christy.
Mr Stuart had been stabbed to death by Ali Qazimaj and his tarpaulin-covered body was discovered dumped by a stream in woodland near his home a few hours after police arrived. The 75-year-old had been stabbed nine times.
Despite extensive searches 69-year-old Mrs Stuart’s body has never been found.
Today, in a bid to find Mrs Stuart, detectives appealed once again for anyone who may have seen something at the time to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Guy said: “Despite a huge number of officers from three counties completing hundreds of hours of searches Sylvia remains missing.
“Searches were conducted around the Stuart’s home address, the entire route between Weybread and Tilbury and the home and workplace of Ali Qazimaj.
“Although our active searching has stopped, as I said after the conviction of Qazimaj I have promised the family that I will continue to follow up any information that assists in locating Sylvia and this remains the case. I would also ask anyone who may have information to call us.”
In March Qazimaj, 43, of Tilbury, was sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum 35-year term, after previously being convicted of the murders of Mr and Mrs Stuart following an Ipswich Crown Court trial.
During his trial Qazimaj denied he was Ali Qazimaj. He claimed his real name was Vital Dapi.
Following his conviction it was revealed he may well really be Vital Dapi, but he had sought and was granted asylum in the UK in 1999 under the name Ali Qazimaj, after fleeing Kosovo.
The Stuarts were last seen on May 29 last year at a farm shop in Pulham Market, Norfolk.
After they were killed Qazimaj fled to France via Dover. He was discovered in Luxembourg on June 7 and subsequently extradited back to England.
Mr Stuart’s DNA was found on the door handle of Qazimaj’s Citroen, while hairs containing Mrs Stuart’s DNA were found in the car’s boot.
Sentencing Qazimaj, Mr Justice Jeremy Stuart-Smith described him as a “ruthless and accomplished” killer.
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