Detectives hunt 'knife murder weapon'

9:13am Friday 20th November 2009

By St Helens Star newsdesk

DETECTIVES are hunting the murder weapon used to stab St Helens man Graham Wootton to death.

The victim, from Haydock, was discovered fatally injured at an address on St Augustine’s Way in Netherton, Liverpool in the early hours of Saturday morning (November 14).

A post-mortem showed he died as a result of a single stab wound.

Detectives believe he may have been assaulted during an argument at the house. Four people arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail.

Today Merseyside Police said officers are still searching for the weapon believed to be involved in the murder.

Investigators have discovered a set of Anthony Worrall-Thompson branded kitchen knives are missing from the property.

Now police have released a photograph of a similar set of kitchen knives as they appeal to trace the murder weapon.

They are appealing to anyone who may have found any of the knives from a set to come forward and contact the police.

Police say it “is possible that the set may no longer be complete”.

Officers were called to the scene at 2.25am on Saturday following reports of an assault.

They discovered Mr Wootton’s body at the property.

A 22-year-old woman from Netherton was arrested at the scene and two men - a 48-year-old from Seaforth and 34-year-old from Litherland - were arrested a short time later, add police.

A 38-year-old woman from the Bootle was arrested later on Sunday.

They were taken to police stations in Merseyside, where they were questioned by detectives before being released on bail.

Anyone who has found this set of knives or have may seen them, is asked to contact Sefton CID on 0151 777 3165, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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