“I was never given the chance to get to know him or for him to watch me grow up,” – these are the poignant words of Christian Bagley’s daughter as we approach the tenth anniversary of his murder in Hereford.
The 12-year-old has penned a heartfelt letter about her dad who was so cruelly taken away from her on Father’s Day 2015 when she was only 19 months old.
A decade on and with the case still unsolved, West Mercia Police continues with its investigation and is using the milestone to appeal to the public for their help too.
Crimestoppers, the independent charity, is supporting the appeal by offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Christian’s murder.
On the night of Sunday 21 June 2015, Christian, aged 30, had been to see his 19-month-old daughter at his ex-partner’s house for Father’s Day.
As he walked home towards Hunderton Bridge, along Villa Street adjacent to the River Wye and underneath the Great Western Way footpath, known locally as ‘The Lines’, Christian was stabbed by an unknown person.
After being attacked near the concrete steps linking the street to ‘The Lines’, Christian managed to stagger to Charles Witts Avenue to seek help. However, despite the best efforts of emergency services at the time, he sadly died from his injuries.
The weapon used, believed to be a kitchen knife, remained embedded in his left arm, while the handle that snapped off during the attack has never been found.
No-one has ever been charged with Christian’s murder. Although several suspects were arrested around the time, they were later released without charge and the case remains unsolved.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Lougher, of West Mercia Police’s Major Investigation Unit, said: “While we have continued to investigate this case, a decade on it seems timelier than ever to appeal again to the public to help us get justice for Christian’s daughter, mother and all his family and friends.
“We hope this heartfelt message from a daughter who has grown up never knowing her father will prick the conscience of someone carrying a burden of knowledge about his murder to step forward and help us bring those responsible before the courts.
“After ten years, loyalties and allegiances may have changed, and we hope anyone who knows something will do the right thing and speak to us.
“We would urge anyone with information to scan the QR code which takes you directly to the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) or visit this link Public Portal. Alternatively, if you don’t want to speak to police, get in touch with Crimestoppers.”
Alan Edwards, Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, said: “If you know anything about what happened to Christian but feel unable to speak directly to the police, please remember that Crimestoppers is an independent charity and guarantees 100% anonymity.
“We do not ask for your personal details and will never trace your call or online contact. You can tell us what you know, and you will remain completely anonymous.”
A letter about Christian from his 12-year-old daughter
Christian’s daughter, now aged 12, was only 19-months old when he was murdered. She has grown up without a father and wrote the following letter about him: –
“Somebody taking my dad away from me when I was little is something that can never be replaced. I have no memories of my dad or his presence in my life – only what other people have told me.
“I was never given the chance to get to know him or for him to watch me grow up. I’ll never be able to spend Father’s Day, Christmas Day or a birthday with my dad.
“There’s an emptiness that should not be inside me because somebody murdered my dad.
“That void within myself will always be there.
“Everything he did that day – 21.06.15 – was a ‘last time’ experience.
“They still haven’t found who killed my dad or any answers to why somebody cruelly took him away. I love you dad!”
Christian’s mother Janette, known as ‘Jan’, has joined the tenth anniversary appeal and paid tribute to her beloved son: –
“Christian was the kindest person you would ever meet.
“If I was across the water, he’d have walked across it just to help us.
“Christian was the ‘clasp’ to the ‘link’. When they took the clasp, they broke it, whoever done it, they broke it, and the link fell one by one. They took it away, took the family away.
“He loved his daughter; his daughter was his life. When his daughter was born, he was the most elated person you’ll ever know.
“All I want to know is why? Why have you done this to my boy? – He’s stabbed for no reason whatsoever. He didn’t deserve it, he’s walking along, going home after seeing his baby daughter on Father’s Day.
“Please, somebody somewhere knows something, and I want to know why? Just why? Tell me why you did this to my boy.
“Ring up, or send a message, or whatever. Please come forward if you know anything.”
