"We pray that Julius' soul rests in eternal peace and that one day justice will prevail"

A murder victim will finally be laid to rest this week more than a year after his body was found.

The remains of Tanyaradzwa Matera were hidden by bushes last winter on the edge of playing fields next to Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club in Salford.

It is believed the body had been there for eight weeks. It was discovered on December 7th 2023. His family still awaits answers as to his fate.

The popular 43-year-old, known to his loved ones as Julius, was declared missing on October 24 last year. By that time, police believe he had been dead for over a week. In July police revealed to the Manchester Evening News that they had received intelligence that he had been stabbed at a party.

In a statement issued today Greater Manchester Police said: "This investigation is subject of a review as to the final decision. There has not yet been an inquest. Cause of death was unascertained at autopsy."

The force added: "the suspects are released under investigation and a decision will be made on that once the review is complete."

Julius arrived in the UK from Zimbabwe in 2001 and for a while lived in Leicestershire. In 2012, he moved to Manchester His family described him as a 'remarkably friendly' man, and 'always be ready to help' whenever he could.

His cousin, June Matera, said today: "We will be holding a wake for Julius and celebrate his life at the Raka Raka pub on Tuesday 17th December from 6pm until midnight. A funeral service will be held at the Peel Green Cemetery Salford on Wednesday the 18th of December, 1pm in the Chapel and burial at 1.40pm.

"It is sad and heartbreaking that the cause of death could not be ascertained and Julius could not get the justice that he deserved. We pray that Julius' soul rests in eternal peace and that one day justice will prevail. Time will tell."

June added that a pre-inquest review is scheduled to take place in February.

Julius was living in accommodation in Eccles, found for him by the Home Office while he awaited a decision on his status regarding his request to stay in the UK. During that wait, he was unable to work

One night towards the end of 2023, he found himself at a party at a property in Great Cheetham Street West, in Salford. It was here, on the night of either October 13 or 14, police believe Julius was stabbed to death.

His body ended up at the rear of the home, in shrubbery on the other side of a wall. Partially obscured by a thicket of Japanese knotweed, he lay there undiscovered until December 7.

"Julius was remarkably friendly, considerate, respectful, funny, and adventurous. He was always ready to help when he could," remembered his cousin June Matera, speaking to the M.E.N earlier this year. "He had such an adventurous spirit and a curious mind that made him want to explore and discover things in his own special way with a keen ambition in current affairs and commentary. Julius was an active local community member who enjoyed the company of others and was never a lonely person."

June travelled to Manchester in July from her home in Leicestershire to join police in an appeal for information in a bid to catch his killer. According to officers, witnesses have been reluctant to come forward - but they believe "there are people in the community who may know what happened to Julius and why".

His body was found after police received intelligence and raided the house and searched the grounds behind it. Three men have been arrested on suspicion of Julius' murder and released on bail pending further investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Rachel Smith told the MEN in July: "Three suspects are still on police bail. We have had extensions to their bail while we have done our investigations. The next stage will be re-interviewing them in the next few weeks."

Explaining how Julius was eventually found, she said: "We received some information that there had been a party at the address in Great Cheetham Street West and at that party someone had disclosed that Julius had died and had been stabbed.

"It was following this that Salford district police executed a warrant at the address and secured the address as a scene. Then they looked at the rear of the property.

"The house is one of multiple occupancy - there are five bedrooms in it - and it seems to be a place where people go to socialise. I think Julius attended that address that night." Police believe Julius was killed at the address

"We believe there are people in the community who may know what happened to Julius and why. We know that sometimes for many different reasons, some people feel that it is wrong to talk to the police. But we have to do our job and we have a duty to find answers for Julius’s family.

Anyone with information can call 0161 856 3635, quoting log number 218 of 07/12/2023. Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Information can also be uploaded to GMP's Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP23F27-PO1