Unsolved Leeds murder anniversary prompts Adam Chadwick family appeal to killers behind 2008 Harehills fatal shooting

The family of murdered Leeds dad Adam Chadwick have issued a direct appeal for his killers to "do the right thing" by handing themselves in 12 years on from the shooting.

Adam was when 20 years old when he was fatally injured during a struggle with unknown intruders at his sister’s home in Clifton Mount, Harehills.

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Adam Chadwick, a 20-year-old Leeds dad, was fatally injured when unknown intruders entered his sister's home in Harehills on June 24, 2008.Adam Chadwick, a 20-year-old Leeds dad, was fatally injured when unknown intruders entered his sister's home in Harehills on June 24, 2008.
Adam Chadwick, a 20-year-old Leeds dad, was fatally injured when unknown intruders entered his sister's home in Harehills on June 24, 2008.
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Speaking ahead of today's anniversary, his parents Martin and Jackie Chadwick said: "Twelve years on since our son Adam Chadwick was taken from us, still, no justice, no answers. Who are the four people who went to our daughter's house on the 24 June, 2008 asking for a woman called Michelle?"

They said that the woman's knock on the door had been the start of a nightmare, adding their world was "turned upside down" when Adam died from his injuries two days later.

He left behind daughter Ruby, who had celebrated her third birthday only a few days before his death.

Now 15, she has joined her grandparents in recent years to make appeals for information and help keep her dad's unsolved murder in the public eye.

The disturbance took place at the home of Adam Chadwick's sister in Clifton Mount, Harehills. Picture: Simon HulmeThe disturbance took place at the home of Adam Chadwick's sister in Clifton Mount, Harehills. Picture: Simon Hulme
The disturbance took place at the home of Adam Chadwick's sister in Clifton Mount, Harehills. Picture: Simon Hulme
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In a direct message to those responsible, Martin and Jackie said: "As Adam's parents, we will do everything in our power to get the people responsible for killing Adam.

"Still, no one has been charged with Adam's murder and the case is still ongoing, so we are making this statement to the three men and the woman to do the right thing. Hand yourself in and pay for killing Adam.

"Twelve years on, we think about that night when you took Adam's life and left his daughter without her daddy. We have gone through hell these last 12 years and now it is your time to do the right thing by letting us get justice for our son and some closure.

"We have moved from our home and jobs in Leeds because we could not bear to carry on living close knowing that Adam's killers are still living close to us. We look at people and wonder if it was them.

Martin and Jackie Chadwick, with Adam's daughter Ruby, as they made an appeal for information on the anniversary of the shooting two years ago. Picture: Simon HulmeMartin and Jackie Chadwick, with Adam's daughter Ruby, as they made an appeal for information on the anniversary of the shooting two years ago. Picture: Simon Hulme
Martin and Jackie Chadwick, with Adam's daughter Ruby, as they made an appeal for information on the anniversary of the shooting two years ago. Picture: Simon Hulme
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"Nothing will replace our son but hopefully, if we can get justice, we could move on and just focus on the good memories we had with Adam."

Clues to the identity of the killers

The mystery woman who knocked on the door asking for 'Michelle' and a car used by the murderers to escape the scene are among the clues that have featured in previous appeals by detectives from West Yorkshire Police.

A police artist's sketch of the woman who knocked on the door asking to speak to 'Michelle' and later returned with three men.A police artist's sketch of the woman who knocked on the door asking to speak to 'Michelle' and later returned with three men.
A police artist's sketch of the woman who knocked on the door asking to speak to 'Michelle' and later returned with three men.

The woman is described as white, in her late 20s and 5ft 5in, with dark brown hair and olive skin.

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She had been asking around for ‘Michelle’ and returned to the house again at 10.40pm that night.

But instead of being alone, she was now in the company of three unidentified men.

One of that group was carrying a Russian built Baikal converted gas handgun, which would soon be fired.

Within a short time of them coming to the door, a disturbance began and it was then that Adam suffered the gunshot injury that would prove to be fatal.

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Another potential lead is a blue Ford Focus C-Max believed to have been used by the woman and three men.

CCTV footage showed it being stolen from Oatland Heights in Little London on June 11, almost a fortnight before the shooting.

It is known the getaway car went along Clifton Mount and turned right into Hudson Road before heading down towards Compton Road, where it was lost from view.

The next day, the car was found abandoned at the corner of Chapeltown Road and Reginald Street in Chapeltown. An unsuccessful attempt had been made to set fire to the vehicle.

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Its genuine number plate – registration YH54 SBV – was still fitted, but one of the car’s regular wheels was missing and its emergency spare wheel had been fitted to the rear offside in its place.

Anyone with any information that could help the investigation is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Enquiry Team via 101, quoting Operation Pimento.

Information can also be passed on anonymously via the Crimestoppers website or on 0800 555 111.

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