Mystery of murder night
It was a Saturday like any other – a flutter on the horses, a few drinks at a couple of local pubs and a late-night takeaway.
That April 14 was an unusually balmy evening for the time of year – and Andrew Owen was taking advantage of the weather by enjoying a good old-fashioned night out after a win on the Grand National.
But as the residents of Sedgley woke to a glorious Sunday morning, they were surprised to find a white forensics tent camped among the daffodils and trees of Coronation Gardens.
Surprise soon turned to shock as news broke that the 42-year-old father had been murdered and robbed in the early hours of the morning, just yards from his home in Viewfield Crescent.
Police immediately began handing out leaflets and making door-to-door inquiries, mindful that the first 48 hours are the most crucial when trying to catch a killer.
But more than a fortnight later – and despite the best efforts of a team of 35 detectives who have gathered information from 158 different witnesses – Andrew Owen's murderer remains at large. Internet messages have flooded in with tributes to the man many knew as a loveable rogue, a caring father and a fun-loving friend.
Now, the Express & Star has joined forces with detectives to gather the information together, jog memories and try to close the net round the killer.
Although most of the victim's movements on that final day have been mapped out there are still as many questions as answers surrounding the case.
The motive for the April 15 murder remains a riddle and police are also waiting for pathologists to determine the exact cause of death – though natural causes have already been ruled out. Leading the inquiry, Detective Superintendent Mick Treble said public help would be crucial to crack the case and urged witnesses to get in touch.
"We are relying very much on the public to aid us in this investigation and we would encourage anyone with information to come forward," he said.
"If anybody knows the identity of the person who killed Andrew, we need to know. They are not shielding anybody by keeping this information to themselves.
"This case will be solved by someone speaking about a loved one or friend acting differently and then giving us that vital phone call."
* Anybody with information should call police on 0845 1135000.