56 days in the weeds: Coroner orders new probe into death of Zimbabwean Julius Matera

Greater Manchester West Coroner Tim Brennand has ordered a fresh review into the death of Zimbabwean Tanyaradzwa Julius Matera, whose body lay unfound for 56 days in Salford.

Concluding the inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Office on August 28, Coroner Brennand called on Greater Manchester Police to reinvestigate, after ruling Julius likely died following an “unwarranted and unlawful attack” with a bladed weapon.

The story was widely reported in the Manchester Evening News and ITV news as police put up a 50,000 pound reward hoping to get a lead which didn’t bring a breakthrough.

June Matera has welcomed a new investigation into her cousin Julius’ death. She said: “It is sad and heartbreaking that Julius could not get the justice that he deserved. We pray that Julius’ soul rests in eternal peace and that one day justice will prevail. Time will tell.”

Known to his family as Julius, he moved to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2001 with his cousin June Matera. They lived together in Leicestershire before Julius moved to Manchester in 2012. His home in Eccles was found for him by the Home Office.

For years he had been in limbo as he waited for a government decision on his application for residency status. As he attempted to resolve his bid for legal residency he was not allowed to work. He was issued with food vouchers to sustain himself.

He was vulnerable. His eyesight was poor and trapped in a wretched existence of relying on handouts, he relied, sometimes too heavily, on drink as a refuge.

Detective Inspector Rachel Smith, who is investigating Julius’ murder, said: “He was begging and vulnerable. Information we had from witnesses was that others would bully him and take his vouchers off him. He was a quiet, unassuming man.”

Yet despite this, considering the life he was living it is remarkable that Tanyaradzwa Matera was regarded as a “joyful spirit” by his family.

June Matera, who he called Aunt June, said: “Julius was an active local community member who enjoyed the company of others and was never a lonely person. We all miss his contagious laugh. He had a way of making people smile and a chuckle that captured his joyful spirit.”

The coroner also heard evidence from the pathologist who could not ascertain the cause of death due to the high state of decomposition at the time of discovery.

By the time Julius was found on December 7, 2023, he had been dead for 56 days. However, a post-mortem examination did identify an incised wound to the left side of his neck, likely caused by a bladed instrument.

On the night of October 13th/14th 2023 police believe he was stabbed in either the communal kitchen or on a brick patio at the back of 99 Great Cheetham Street West, Higher Broughton.

It is thought he then either fell over a fence or jumped over it to escape, crawling away and dying in dense Japanese knotweed just 20 yards from the property, on the edge of Broughton Cricket and Rugby Club playing fields.

He was reported missing on October 24, 2023 by a tenancy support worker – by then he had already been dead a week.

Coroner Brennand said the most likely explanation involves “an unwarranted and unlawful attack by a heavily intoxicated assailant, delivering a single blow having taken hold of a kitchen knife in a dispute over a bottle of cider.”

Three men arrested twice on suspicion of murder – Mr Nkonjera, Josphat Mkonowatsauka and Louis Chirimumvura – have been released without charge and told they face no further action. GMP said the legal threshold for charge had not been met, but the investigation remains open.

Julius was laid to rest at Peel Green Cemetery, Eccles on December 18, 2024.

Anyone with information can call GMP on 0161 856 3635 quoting log 218 of 07/12/2023, visit https://mipp.police.uk/operation/06GMP23F27-PO1 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.