The ongoing battle for justice and to track down the killer of Kieran Williams

Seven weeks ago I met with detectives from Northumbria Police at Claxheugh Rocks, the murder site at which teenager Kieran Williams was brutally stabbed and his burned body left in a makeshift grave.

Detectives and police officers were recreating the murder scene and grave, in a bid to find Kieran’s killer four years on from the discovery of his body.

Detective Superintendent Matt Steel described the case as “horrific”, and as I stood watching a recreation of the makeshift grave, a distinctive chill went down my spine, despite the warm spring sunshine.

With Kieran’s killer believed to be still at large, I take an in depth look at the case and where the investigation currently stands.

Who is Kieran Williams and when did he go missing?

Kieran Lee Williams was 18 when he went missing from his family home on Esplanade West in the Ashbrooke area of Sunderland. In court, it was revealed Kieran had learning difficulties.

He was reported missing from his home on Easter Monday, April 18, 2022.

When was Kieran’s body discovered?

Kieran’s body was discovered on a disused industrial estate south of the River Wear, between the Northern Spire Bridge and Claxheugh Rocks, on May 31, 2022, six weeks after he had disappeared.

Kieran had been stabbed “at least 23 times” and his body set on fire before being left in a makeshift grave.

Following the discovery of Kieran’s body, the then Detective Inspector Matt Steel, who was leading the investigation, said: “This is an incredibly tragic update and one we were hoping we would never have to deliver.

“First and foremost, our thoughts remain with Kieran’s loved ones during this incredibly difficult time. We will continue to offer them support and once again ask that their privacy is respected while the investigation continues.”

Murder investigation launched

Following the discovery of Kieran’s body, a murder investigation was launched. Four men, aged 19, 20, 28 and 19, and one woman, aged 46, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder and were released on police bail as part of the ongoing investigation.

Two men were later charged with Kieran’s murder ahead of appearing before Newcastle Crown Court.

What happened at the trial and what was said?

During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on February 3, 2023, one man was cleared of murder and manslaughter, whilst the other, Louis Hackett, whose fingerprints were in the clay of the grave, was found not guilty of murder but was found to be guilty of manslaughter.

Louis Hackett, of Fordenbridge Square, who was 20 at the time of the trial, returned to Newcastle Crown Court on March 23, 2023, where he was sentenced to five years in jail.

Describing Hackett’s role, Mr Justice Jay told Hackett he was trusted by Kieran, who also had learning difficulties, and who he described as his ‘best mate; and added: "You played a key role in escorting him to the scene of the murder.

"You knew something untoward was to happen to him, that much is clear from the jury's verdict.

"However, equally consistent with the verdict, you did not know he would suffer really serious harm, still less that he would be stabbed 23 times in a brutal attack."

Justice not done

Justice Jay told Hackett his sentence ‘cannot do justice to Kieran Williams or his family’ and added: "He was brutally murdered.

"So far, the real perpetrator or perpetrators have got away with it, justice has not been done, and it won't be done by sentencing you for more than what you have done."

What did Kieran’s mother say?

In July 2024, with Kieran’s killer still believed to be at large, his mother Tracey Williams issued a heartfelt plea for information to help find his killers. Crimestoppers also offered a £20,000 reward for information which led to the arrest and conviction of Kieran’s killer.

She said: “As a mother I cannot express the horror and ongoing trauma that I feel. I wake up heartbroken and fall asleep crying. It’s an ongoing torture to know that I will never spend one more moment with my son.

“I’m desperate for justice for Kieran, just as any other parent would be. I continue to walk the streets where Kieran was last seen in the hope that someone, anyone, will tell me what happened to my son and why.

“I know there are people out there who know what happened to Kieran. I’m a proud woman and a proud mother, but I’m begging anyone with information to come forward.

“Please try to imagine just for a moment the pain and desperation I continue to feel every minute of every hour of every day.”

New appeal

On April 18, 2026, four years after Kieran disappeared, Northumbria Police issued a new appeal in which they urged the public to “do the right thing” and help them secure closure for Kieran’s family.

Detective Superintendent Matt Steel said: “Our investigation remains very much active and we will continue to follow up on any new leads.

“On the anniversary of Kieran’s disappearance, I’m urging anyone who knows something about his death to do the right thing and share what they know.

“We know there were other unidentified fingerprints left at the scene.

“Ultimately, someone, somewhere, knows who they might belong to and is keeping quiet.”

Why did detectives recreate the murder scene four years after Kieran’s death?

On April 29, 2026, police officers returned to the area between the Northern Spire Bridge and Claxheugh Rocks to carry out planned test excavations which involved recreating the exact dimensions of Kieran William’s grave, which officers confirmed was not a shallow grave but was in-fact “about waist deep”.

Forensic experts recreated three graves at the “same time of year, and with the same soil conditions” as when Kieran’s grave was dug.

It was to ascertain new information such as how long it would have taken to dig the grave, how many people may have been involved and where finger prints may have been left.

Detectives confirmed this was to identify new lines of inquiry in relation to the number of suspects and whether a pre-planned grave may have already been dug.

DSI Steel also confirmed police officers were obtaining fingerprints from people in the community to eliminate them from their enquiries.

Where does the investigation currently stand?

As things currently stand, Kieran’s killer or killers still remain at large and as Mr Justice Jay said, justice has still not been done. When questioned this week as to whether the recreation of Kieran’s grave and finger print tests in the local community had led to any arrests or developments, Northumbria Police stressed the case is a “complex investigation”, which remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Northumbria Police on the case’s online portal.