Uncle speaks out about his nephew's unsolved murder after his body was found a year ago today

Jamie Perkins’ body was found in Gilfach Goch, and his murder remains unsolved.

Now his uncle, Allan Perkins, who lives in Penarth, but  grew up in the village of Gilfach Goch, has spoken out in the hope that somebody who has information will make contact to ensure Jamie’s family get justice for what happened to their much loved son, nephew and father.

His body was discovered by a member of the public, dumped in a culvert, along a narrow access  road known locally as Bog Lane on November 1, 2017.

It is believed that he could have been lying undiscovered in that culvert for up to three weeks.

When Jamie was found a murder investigation was immediately launched.

Despite a number of appeals, and even a £10,000 reward put up by Crimestoppers, nobody has been charged with Jamie’s murder.

His uncle, along with police, believes that somebody locally has information that will give them the breakthrough they need, and is making a plea for that person to do the right thing and come forward.

Speaking from his home in Penarth, Allan said: “When Jamie was about 9 years old he started boxing and he took it very seriously, training every single day. From there he boxed for Wales and even fought in the Gaelic games in Ireland. He was a very good boxer but as he grew up he tended to go out with the wrong people, and yes, he took the wrong turn in life.

“But I know Jamie, and he would do anything for anybody - he would carry a bag to the top of a hill for somebody if he saw it was too heavy. He had his problems, yes, but he was a nice person and people who know him know he was.

“His troubles escalated until the final thing was him getting murdered and being dumped down in Bog Lane. People in Gilfach should look at themselves – if they know or if they have heard anything, and they come forward, we may be able to get closure on this. Jamie’s father is not very well and I think he would love to finally relax in the latter part of his life. He deserves better than this from the people of the community.

“The last 12 months, we’ve been in limbo. Police have been asking questions, talking to people, and taking people in for questioning but at the moment we don’t seem to be any nearer to finding the people responsible for killing Jamie. Please come forward, because John needs your help. People in Gilfach should listen to this and think to themselves, something has got to be done.”

On Thursday, November 1, 2018, a year since Jamie was last seen, detectives are revisiting the village which was left shocked by the events of last year.

Detectives will be knocking on doors will be visiting local amenities such as cafes and the community centre to remind people that Jamie’s killer or killers remain at large.

Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Morgan, said: “Whoever killed Jamie Perkins is roaming free while his family are left traumatised and distraught, having to face another Christmas without him and that is just not right.

“It’s now a year since Jamie’s body was found. Somebody, somewhere, knows who is responsible, and this is their chance to come forward. My message to that person is that it is never too late. We understand that it may have been difficult, or maybe still is, to come forward, but, I would like to assure you now that we would provide you with all the support that you require. The other option that you have is to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.”

Jamie, who was 41 at the time of his death, was well known in the Gilfach Goch and Tonyrefail areas. The last CCTV sighting of him is on 8h October in Hendreforgan before his body was discovered on November 1, 2017, at a location known locally as Bog Lane, between Ffordd Llanbad housing estate and the Griffin Inn public house. His body was clothed in a camouflage hooded top, dark jeans and dark trainers.

DCI Gareth Morgan, added: “We will never give up on finding the person or people responsible for Jamie’s death. I am confident that the key to this investigation lies in the local community, and I am also very hopeful that that person will identify their opportunity to share with us what they know, to see that Jamie’s family, and the wider community of Gilfach Goch, get justice and put some closure on what has been a very grim chapter for everyone.”

Anybody with information is urged to contact South Wales Police via 101 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A new public portal has also been developed which lets people use the internet to contact the incident room. This can be accessed by visiting https://mipp.police.uk/operation/62SWP17A49-PO1