Five years after St Albans man Murray Thompson was murdered, his family and police have renewed their appeal for information to find his body.

Murray, a delivery driver, had been living at St Peter’s Street in St Albans at the time of his death and was aged 34 when he went missing on 20 April 2010.

Despite never finding his body detectives from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, using specialist forensic techniques, were able to prove that Murray was murdered in a flat in St Albans Road, Watford.

In September 2012, James Evans, of Bushey Mill Lane in Watford, was given a life sentence after being found guilty of murder, perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to produce cannabis, following a seven week trial.

He was given a minimum term of 21 years in prison, despite a failed appeal against his sentence at a later hearing.

Murray’s father Tony Thompson said his son is still “greatly missed by his family and friends”.

He added: “His friends meet up each year on his birthday and no doubt they will be marking this occasion as well. He has certainly not been forgotten and will never be forgotten by us.

“Every day he is in our thoughts. When you have had a son for 34 years they are still very clear in your memory. You can’t believe he is never going to turn up again and sometimes I can still see and hear him.”

Tony went on: “I miss him very much; he was my only relation, which is particularly tough. If only we had some clue as to exactly what happened and where he is, it would be some sort of closure for us.

“We know people are serving time for this, but they haven’t given anything away. I’d like to get through to James Evans about what grief he has caused and to have our many questions answered, not least where Murray is.

“At the time of his disappearance we offered a reward for information and that offer still stands.”

Detective Chief Inspector Jerome Kent, of the joint major crime unit, and who led the investigation, said: “Evans never revealed anything about the circumstances of what happened the day Murray was killed, nor about where he left his body.

“He remains in prison and will do for a long time to come, so anyone who may have information about where Murray is can come forward, safe in that knowledge.

“Please tell us what you know. If you don’t feel confident speaking to police directly you can give information anonymously through Crimestoppers, the independent charity, on 0800 555 111.”

• Two further men were convicted in connection with the investigation. Lee Sullivan, of Hudson Close in Watford, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and three counts of intimidation of witnesses and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to producing cannabis. He was sentenced to eight years imprisonment.

• Amit Agar, of Parkfield in Chorleywood, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to produce cannabis and intimidation of a witness. He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and ordered to pay £50,000 costs.