THE former partner of murder victim Heather Barnett has made a public appeal over her killing.

As the second anniversary of Heather's death approaches, David Marsh told the Daily Echo: "I am asking for anyone who has any information to help put the murderer behind bars where he belongs.

"Somebody must have seen something and I find it incredible that no one has so far come forward. This is a busy area."

Mr Marsh also believes the killer is being shielded.

"I am convinced that someone knows who the murderer is and he confided in them. I do not know why they are keeping quiet. They should think again.

"Whoever killed Heather has deprived two children of their mother. They must realise that."

Mr Marsh, who split from Heather in the early '90s said the couple's children, Terry 16, and Caitlin 13, are still struggling to come to terms with their mother's death.

It was the youngsters who found Heather's body at the home in Capstone Road, Charminster, on November 12, 2002 when they returned from school.

Seamstress Heather, 48, had been brutally attacked with a knife and a hammer and strands of someone else's cut hair were placed in her hands.

Mr Marsh, of nearby Stewart Road, initially came under suspicion and was questioned by detectives.

"I do not blame the police for that because they have a job to do and the majority of murders are committed by people who know their victims," he said. "But it was a very difficult time."

Dorset Police have been making enquiries in Italy in the past few months, believing there is a link between Heather's death and the disappearance of an Italian teenager, Elisa Claps in 1993.

An Italian man, Danilo Restivo, who lives opposite Heather's flat, was arrested, questioned and released in June. He is now on police bail until December.

Mr Marsh added: "Heather and I were not close but her death was a terrible shock. She had a right to life and her children certainly have a right to know why she died.

"None of us will be able to rest until Heather's killer is brought to justice. Only then will we be able to have closure and the children will be able to get on with their lives."

First published: October 18