New information in Kieran Williams murder case after £20,000 Crimestoppers reward

New information about the murder of stabbed teenager Kieran Williams has been passed on after a reward was offered.

It has now been almost two years since the 18-year-old's body was found in a makeshift grave near his Sunderland home weeks after he was reported missing. He has been stabbed more than 20 times.

Two men were cleared of murder by a jury at Newcastle Crown Court, who convicted Louis Hackett of manslaughter. But after the judge said he believed the “real perpetrator or perpetrators” of the murder had not been caught Northumbria Police confirmed the investigation into Kieran's murder would continue.

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Crimestoppers last week offered a £20,000 reward for help to bring Kieran's killers to justice. And today the charity said new information had already been passed on.

Crimestoppers' Regional Manager for the North East, Fleur Brown, said: "Crimestoppers exists to give everyone a safe alternative when speaking up about crime. To ensure we protect everyone who has stepped forward so far, we are unable to go into specifics about this or any crime.

“However, we’d like to say thank you for the information we’ve already received and passed on and to encourage anyone else who knows what happened to Kieran Williams to call our UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111 or visit Crimestoppers-uk.org. You’ll stay 100% anonymous. Always.”

Kieran went missing on April 18, 2022. Police launched a search and the teen's loved ones made repeated appeals for information. But the family's worst fears were confirmed when his body was found in a shallow grave close to the River Wear on June 2. He had been stabbed multiple times and his body was set on fire.

Hackett, 20, was jailed for five years after being convicted of manslaughter. And while his fingerprints were found at the grave, there were others discovered at the scene that remain unidentified. And it is hoped that these could help bring Kieran’s killers to justice.

As the reward was offered Kieran's mum, Tracey Williams, made an emotional plea for information.

She said: “As a mother, I cannot express the horror and ongoing trauma that I feel. I wake up heartbroken and fall asleep crying, and it’s an ongoing torture to know that I will never spend one more moment with my son. I am 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, and I know that there are people out there who know what happened to Kieran.

“I am a proud woman and a proud mother, but I am 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.”