The 10-year-old daughter of missing Portslade man Gary Hampson has written a heartfelt letter to him for Father’s Day.
Detectives hope in releasing the letter, someone will come forward and provide the vital information that will lead them to the location of Mr Hampson’s body.
This, Sussex Police said, would bring much-needed peace for his daughter and other family members.
In a direct appeal to associates of Mr Hampson’s killers, Detective Chief Inspector Jeff Riley said: “You can help end the search for Gary’s body and bring much-needed peace to a young girl who misses her dad.
“Any information you give, however insignificant it might seem, could lead to solving the last piece of the puzzle of this tragic incident.
“If you wish to remain anonymous, the information you provide to Crimestoppers will be in complete confidence.
“Please call the independent charity immediately on 0800 555111.”
Specialist officers have been offering support to Mr Hampson’s daughter and her mother, Kelly, who said: “Gary is at the forefront of our minds and it is an extremely difficult time for all the family, including Gary’s family in Liverpool.
“With Father’s Day only a few days away it is particularly difficult for our daughter, as it will be the first time in ten years they will be spending the day apart.
“She is a 10-year-old girl who saw her daddy three times a week without fail.
“I can’t imagine how difficult it must be, yet she has been so brave and courageous.
“It is a parent’s worst nightmare to watch their child go through such a traumatic event.
“It’s truly heartwrenching.
“She frequently writes to her dad and writes about him to express her emotions and it is helping her to cope with the difficulty of the situation.
“She’s happy for people to read her letter as she wants to do something to help find daddy.”
In the letter to her father, Mr Hampson’s daughter writes:
“If you came back for just five minutes I would tell you
- I wish I could say goodbye
- I love you
- I miss you
- How did you die?
- I love you to Care Bear land and back
- I miss all your funny voices
- I bought you a popping plant
- I miss all your cuddles
- I wish my nightmares would go away
- I wish somebody could help me find you
- Wherever you are I hope you are happy
- I wish I could see your blue eyes again
- Happy Father’s Day
- Mannamanoo that’s between me and you
Love Daddy from Laa Laa.
Charged
A Brighton mechanic, Daniel Alexander, 61, of no fixed address, has been charged with murdering Mr Hampson and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Roy Bartup, 57, of Natal Road, Brighton, has been charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
The pair remain in custody awaiting trial.
A 48-year-old man from Brighton who was arrested on suspicion of murder is on police bail until Monday 20 June.
A 66-year-old Brighton woman arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on bail until Wednesday 27 July.
A 25-year-old man from Brighton, arrested on Monday 9 May on suspicion of assisting an offender was bailed until Wednesday 13 July.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 6070999 or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.