£50,000 reward to find person responsible for death of man at Parklife in 2014

Robert, from Macclesfield, died after being punched by an unknown male assailant at the music festival in Heaton Park on Saturday 7 June 2014

Author: Olivia DaviesPublished 22nd Mar 2024

A £50,000 reward has been offered to find the person responsible for the death of Robert Hart at Parklife in 2014.

The reward ‘is payable for information that leads to charge and conviction’.

Detectives investigating the incident made a fresh appeal on Crimewatch Live today (22/3/24) as the 10th anniversary of the tragic incident approaches.

Robert, from Macclesfield, died after being punched by an unknown male assailant at the music festival in Heaton Park on Saturday 7 June 2014.

Robert, who was 26 at the time, died a few days later as a result of his injuries.

Robert’s attacker, who has never been identified, is described as mixed race, in his mid-20s, around 6ft to 6ft 2in tall, of muscular build with short, dark hair which was shaved at the sides.

He may have been with several people including an unknown woman – she is believed to be white, in her mid-20s with blonde, shoulder-length hair, around 5ft 7ins tall and possibly wearing a pink T-shirt.

Detective Inspector Madeline Kelly, from GMP’s Major Crime Review Team, made a fresh appeal for information on BBC’s Crimewatch Live today (22/3/24).

She said: “Even though this terrible incident was almost 10 years ago, it will still be fresh in the minds of many people, especially Robert’s family and people who were at Parklife.

“Despite the passing of time, the heartache felt by Robert’s family has not faded.

“Just as we were in 2014, we are determined to catch the person responsible which is why we are taking a fresh look at the evidence and appealing for the assistance of the public.

“We are appealing for people to dig deep into their consciences – it you were one of the people involved on the day we would urge you to come forward.

“No-one went to the festival that weekend with thoughts of violence.

"Allegiances and friendships will have changed so if anyone has any information they can report it to police in confidence, particularly if they feel they could not before.

"We are also asking for people at Parklife on Saturday 7 June 2014 to share their photos and videos with us – especially people who were around the main stage at around 9pm just after Rudimental had finished their set and before Snoop Dogg was due on.”

Crimewatch Live replayed some of the original appeal from 2014 to coincide with what would have been Robert’s 36th birthday at the start of March.

Robert’s mum Elaine said: “Robert loved music and played his guitar all the time – music was the reason he went to Parklife. He didn’t go to Parklife for anything other than for his love of music.

“I visit him every week in Macclesfield Cemetery – he shouldn’t be there, he should be here, enjoying and living his life to the full with a family of his own.”

Investigators have set up a Major Incident Public Portal – photos and videos can be uploaded via here, or using the QR code.

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