Adam’s killers still free after nine years
Family of shot 20-year-old want justice
The family of Adam Chadwick, who was shot dead at his sister’s home in Leeds, have told of the pain they still feel on the ninth anniversary of his murder with his killers still at large.
PEOPLE SAY time is a healer, but for Martin Chadwick each passing year serves as a painful reminder that those responsible for his son’s murder are still out there.
Today marks the ninth anniversary of the death of Adam Chadwick, a 20-year-old father who worked as a carpet fitter.
And his family are no closer to understanding why he was shot by a group who turned up at the door of his sister’s home in the Harehills area of Leeds on June 24, 2008.
Mr Chadwick, 56, said: “It’s very frustrating.
“Like I’ve said so many times, you start to feel anxious, you think the anniversary is coming up to that time again.
“It’s another year where they’re still out there, where we haven’t caught them. It’s another slap in the face.”
On June 23 each year, the family celebrate the birthday of Adam’s daughter.
But a cloud hangs over them as they prepare to relive the three days following Ruby’s third birthday that changed all their lives forever.
“We just want to be able to enjoy celebrating his life,” Mr Chadwick said.
“We just want to remember him as he was... it’s hard to put into words.”
Mr Chadwick’s thoughts often turn to Ruby, who turned 12 on Friday, as he reflects on how losing her father at such a young age may have affected her.
“Adam was more like a big brother than a father because he was young himself,” he said.
“He was separated from Ruby’s mum at the time, but every chance he had he was with her. She’s missed out on so much, that little girl.”
Adam Chadwick, 20, lived in Seacroft but was visiting his sister at her home in Clifton Mount on the night of the shooting.
He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary, where he died two days later.
It prompted a major investigation by West Yorkshire Police, who have previously said that the young father may have been mistaken for another man.
Mr Chadwick’s father said: “We’re still looking for the reasons why.
“Until some justice is fetched, I don’t think we’ll ever just be able to move on.
“At first, there was all sorts going on [with the investigation], but it’s gone a bit quiet. They are still hopeful though, as we all are.”
With each passing year, Mr Chadwick is acutely aware that it becomes harder to get people outside their circle of family and friends to share their concern about the unsolved case.
But he remains resolute in his determination to do what he can to help the police find the answer to what really happened.
“We can’t give up,” he said. “We’ve got to keep going.
“It’s just that one piece of information. If someone out there does know something, just come forward.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jim Dunkerley, of West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “Although nine years have passed since Adam Chadwick was murdered, we remain determined to keep doing everything we can to find the people responsible and get justice for his family.
“This will obviously be a particularly difficult time of the year for them and I would ask anyone who knows who was involved that night to search their conscience and think about what Adam’s family are still going through.”
We can’t give up. It’s just that one piece of information. Martin Chadwick, father of Adam Chadwick.