Appeal over boy's mystery hanging

Michael's BMX bike has never been found

Police on Tyneside have renewed an appeal for help surrounding the death of a teenager found hanging from a tree two years ago.

Michael Gaffney, 16, of Finsbury Avenue, Newcastle, was found hanging from a tree near the children's play area in Heaton Park on the evening of 4 September 2001.

An open verdict was recorded at an inquest into his death held in January 2002.

Police say nothing in the original investigation indicated anyone else was involved in the youngster's death, but what happened to his bike remains a mystery.

Now, as the second anniversary of Michael's death approaches, police are renewing efforts to trace his bike and they want to speak to anyone who was in the park on the day he died.

Detective Inspector Andy Jones of Northumbria Police, said: "Although we carried out inquiries at the scene immediately after Michael was found, his bike was never traced.

Michael was found hanging from a tree two years ago

"We also believe there were people in the park in the hours leading up to Michael's death, who didn't come forward at the time and we'd like to speak to them.

"To help remind people of when this happened, it was the last day of the school summer holidays in 2001, the day before autumn term started in Newcastle."

Michael had been about to start A levels at Walker Technology College, where he was described as a model pupil.

He had visited his grandparents' home in the Walker are of the city, on 4 September and left to cycle home at 1815 BST on his BMX bike.

He was found two hours later by a member of the public.

The bike was a Diamond Back silver/chrome model with black handlebars, large blue metallic rear stunt pegs and a swept back seat. The front brake cable passed through the steering column.