The family of a 34-year-old St Albans man murdered five years ago have issued a heartfelt appeal for any information that would help find his body.

Detectives were able to prove Murray Thompson, who went missing on April 20, 2010, was murdered in a flat in St Albans Road, Watford, despite never finding his body.

In September 2012, James Evans, 26, from Bushey Mill Lane, was given a life sentence after being found guilty of murder, perverting the course of justice and conspiracy to produce cannabis, following a seven week trial.

He was given a minimum term of 21 years in prison, despite a failed appeal against his sentence at a later hearing.

Today Murray’s father, Tony Thompson, said if his son's body could be traced it would finally give the family "some sort of closure".

He said: "Murray is still greatly missed by his family and friends. His friends meet up each year on his birthday and no doubt they will be marking this occasion as well. He has certainly not been forgotten and will never be forgotten by us.

"Every day he is in our thoughts - he’s never out of our thoughts. When you have had a son for 34 years they are still very clear in your memory.

"You can’t believe he is never going to turn up again and sometimes I can still see and hear him.

"I miss him very much. He was my only relation, which is particularly tough.

"If only we had some clue as to exactly what happened and where he is, it would be some sort of closure for us.

"We still have such uncertainty. We know people are serving time for this, but they haven’t given anything away.

"I’d like to get through to James Evans about what grief he has caused and to have our many questions answered, not least where Murray is.

"At the time of his disappearance we offered a reward for information and that offer still stands.

"We just want to know where he is so please, if you have any information about where Murray is, please tell the police or Crimestoppers."

Detective Chief Inspector Jerome Kent, led the investigation from the Joint Major Crime Unit, Evans had never told what happened to Murray the day he was killed or the whereabouts of his body.

He said: "Whilst we were able to provide some closure for the family by obtaining a successful conviction, we know that five years on the pain of not being able to put Murray to rest is still very real.

"Evans never revealed anything about the circumstances of what happened the day Murray was killed, nor about where he left his body.

"He remains in prison and will do for a long time to come, so anyone who may have information about where Murray is can come forward, safe in that knowledge.

"Please tell us what you know. If you don’t feel confident speaking to police directly you can give information anonymously through Crimestoppers, the independent charity, on 0800 555 111."

Two further men were convicted in connection with the investigation.

Lee Sullivan, 50, of Hudson Close in Watford, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and three counts of intimidation of witnesses and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to producing cannabis.

He was sentenced to eight years.

And Amit Agar, 35, of Parkfield in Chorleywood, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice, conspiracy to produce cannabis and intimidation of a witness.

He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment and ordered to pay £50,000 costs.