£20k reward offered for info that leads to finding killers of murdered Down man

THE family of murdered Mike Kerr have offered a £20,000 reward for information that leads to finding his killers.

Michael “Mike” Kerr, 68 was killed in a “sustained attack” at Birch Drive in Bangor , Co Down, on Tuesday, November 19 in 2019.

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Tomorrow would mark Kerr’s 70th birthday, which should be a time of “great joy” for the family, but they will instead be visiting his graveside.

Crimestoppers, along with Mike Kerr’s family will now be offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information on his attack that exclusively leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

‘CALLOUS’ ATTACK

The PSNI have also released crucial CCTV footage of two men who they believe will be able to assist in their investigation who were seen on Birch Drive in the early hours of Monday, November 18 in 2019.

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Shaw said: “Thursday, 24 June would have been Mike’s 70th birthday. 

“This should have been a time for family celebrations, a time of great joy for Mike and his family. 

“However the stark reality is the only place his family can visit Mike on his birthday is at his graveside. 

“The callous actions of Mike’s killer or killers have made sure there are no more birthdays to celebrate; no more family gatherings.”

In a video statement released today, the family of Mike remembered him as a “harmless and defenseless” man.

FAMILY APPEAL

 They asked the killers to “look into their hearts and consciousness” and come foward to the police and called on those with information to speak out.

His family said: “On the 19th of November 2019, our family received the devestating news that our dear big brother Mike had been brutally murdered in his own home.

“Mike was a harmless and defenselessness man, he kept himself very much to himself, he was a creature of habit and followed daily and regular routine.

“Whoever cruelly and brutally took Mike’s life didn’t give it a second thought.

“They didn’t care about the terror and pain they inflicted on Mike in the final moments of his life, he didn’t fight back, he didn’t stand a chance.

“Today we are appealing to you for help, we are asking those who took Mike’s life to look into their hearts and their consciousness and do the right thing – come forward to the police.”

CCTV FOOTAGE

PSNI Detective Chief Inspector Michelle Shaw said that she “still believes” the answers to Mike’s callous murder lie within the community.

She said the killers would have been seen to be acting strangely and had bloodstained clothes and appealed to the community to come forward.

She added: “”I am releasing CCTV footage of two people who I believe may be able to assist me with my investigation.

“These two people can be seen on CCTV, walking along Birch Drive in the early hours of Monday 18th November at 4.41am.

“These two people may have seen something important or may have information that could help me with my enquiries. I would ask for these two people or anyone who knows who they are to contact police.”

Crimestoppers and the victim’s family are offering a reward of up to £20,000 – or over €23,000 – for information the charity exclusively receives – either online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling freephone 0800 555 111 – that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Mike Kerr’s murder.

Detective Shaw added: “If anyone has any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, you can either contact police on 101 or online using our non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/.

“To stay anonymous or to be eligible for the reward, you must pass on information directly to the independent charity Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111 or by using their simple and secure online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.

“There is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and computer IP addresses are never traced.  Crimestoppers guarantees 100% anonymity to everyone who contacts them.”

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