THE son and daughter of murdered Bury widow Shirley Leach made an emotional visit to her graveside on the fourth anniversary of her death this week.

And as her killer remains at large, Gary Leach and sister Mrs Beryl Linton still bear the physical and emotional scars of their mother's brutal murder on January 6, 1994.

Painter and decorator Gary (46), of Merton Street, Bury, is now having counselling at Fairfield Hospital to help him cope with the trauma he has had to endure for four years.

And Mrs Linton (47), of Greywood Avenue, Bury, has revealed she has been diagnosed as suffering from stress-induced cancer of the mouth.

Grandmother Mrs Leach (66), of Holme Avenue, was found strangled and sexually assaulted in the toilets at Bury Interchange.

Extensive police investigations, including the blood testing of more than 500 men, have so far failed to bring her killer to justice.

And the fact the murder is still unsolved has added to Gary and Beryl's ongoing nightmare.

Gary, who had been living with his mother until her death, said: "I've been suffering from depression for a long time now, so much so that I'm now undergoing counselling in hospital.

"Obviously, the past four years have been a very bad time for us both.

"From my point of view, it would have been better if my mother had died after an illness. At least I would have had the chance to say goodbye, rather than a policeman coming to my door and telling me she had been murdered."

His sister Beryl underwent similar counselling shortly after Mrs Leach's death.

"But you never ever forget or get over something like this," she said.

"I've now been told I've got cancer of the mouth, which has apparently been caused by all the stress I've been suffering." On Wednesday, to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the discovery of Mrs Leach's body, Gary and Beryl placed flowers by her and their late father's graves at Bury Cemetery.

"We go down there on her birthday, Mother's Day and on other family occasions each year," added Gary. Despite the fact four years have elapsed since Mrs Leach's body was discovered, both cannot bring themselves to pass that particular spot.

"And I am too afraid to go to her grave alone," Mrs Linton added.

Although many people have consoled the couple by saying time is a great healer, the grieving siblings cannot fully come to terms with their loss while their mother's killer remains free from justice.

Gary said: "We see the police from time to time. They tell us the person who did this could himself be dead. But we just don't know. We are anxious that the publicity surrounding the murder doesn't disappear, so there could always be the chance the man might be caught."

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Simister, head of Bury CID, said: "I realise this is a very sad time for the family, especially during the anniversary of Mrs Leach's death.

"But what we can do is to assure them we are continuing to try as best we can to identify the person responsible.

"And if any member of the public has any information whatsoever, which they think may be of assistance even at this late stage, they can contact us."

The number to ring is 856 8150.

Gary and Beryl are pictured placing flowers at their mother and father's grave

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