DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Michael Gilbert, 26, now say he died between January 21 and 22 this year and his body was dismembered and disposed of in the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey almost four months ago. And Mr Gilbert s family have spoken for

DETECTIVES investigating the murder of Michael Gilbert, 26, now say he died between January 21 and 22 this year and his body was dismembered and disposed of in the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey almost four months ago.

And Mr Gilbert’s family have spoken for the first time today about their tragic loss.

The announcement that Mr Gilbert was probably murdered in late January follows the charging of two brothers, Richard, 24, and Robert Watt ,19, of Chertsey Close, Luton, with perverting the course of justice between January and May 2009.

DCI Jon Humphries, from the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, who is investigating Mr Gilbert’s murder, said: “Our enquiries are beginning to uncover the facts surrounding the murder of Michael Gilbert and as a result we have established that he was actually killed in January this year.

“Clearly this affects the time scales of the investigation and I would therefore like to renew my appeal for anyone who has information about what happened to Michael to contact the police.

“Our original appeal to people who frequent the Blue Lagoon in Arlesey only went back two weeks from when his body was discovered on May 10. We clearly need to be appealing to anyone who may have seen someone, or people acting suspiciously near and around the lake four months ago. Anyone who was at the lake on Thursday, January 22, or afterwards is urged to come forward and speak to us.”

The mother of Mr Gilbert today spoke for the first time of her and her family’s sadness and loss saying: “Michael was the third of five children and was known to everyone as the BFG’ the Big Friendly Giant. He was only 26 when he was murdered and we are still shocked by what has happened to him, words cannot describe the anger we feel. Michael could be a pain but he wouldn’t hurt a soul – he didn’t have it in him.

“Michael loved football and computer games. He is not only missed by his brothers and sister but also by his nine nephews and nieces who are aged between two and seven.

“Michael has been brutally murdered. If anyone has information about what happened to him and why then please contact the police and help bring his killers to justice.”

Mr Gilbert had worked in Tesco in Skimpot Lane and Netto’s in Luton as well as Plum Rose vegetable producers in King’s Lynn.

Anyone with information about Michael’s murder should contact the Operation Pinlock incident room on 01707 355959, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or text 07786 200011.