Man left Adelphi hotel and hours later was found dead in St John's Gardens

A businessman visiting Liverpool was killed in the city centre and still to this day no-one knows why. The naked and beaten body of Gordon Miller was found in St John’s Gardens by the Museum of Liverpool on a Monday morning.

The accounts manager had been visiting the city from Oxford on a business trip. He arrived to Liverpool on a Sunday to stay at the Adelphi hotel. It is thought the 36-year-old left his hotel at around 8pm and headed for some drinks.

Although not certain, it is speculated that Mr Miller was walking through the gardens as a shortcut back to where he was staying when he was viciously attacked. Mr Miller was hit in the head multiple times with a blunt instrument that has never been found. He was discovered dead the next morning, Monday, November 27, 1995.

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At the time two men were arrested in relation to his murder but the charges against them were dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service. Questions arose regarding Mr Miller’s sexuality as St John’s Gardens was then known as a common spot used by gay men for cruising - the act of searching about a public place in pursuit of a partner for sex.

However, Mr Miller did have a girlfriend at the time so it is unsure if this is why he was in the area. Police said it could have been an instance of “wrong place, wrong time”. It was also considered that Mr Miller could have been attacked by robbers.

Although there was no indication, Mr Miller had been sexually assaulted, he was found naked, with his shirt and jeans wrapped round his head. His expensive watch, credit cards and money in his wallet were not taken. His brother arrived in Liverpool following the murder to formally identify the body.

Decades on and ahead of the anniversary of his death, Merseyside Police are still investigating the murder of Gordon Miller. Kevin Clague, Head of the Serious Crime Review Unit, told the ECHO: "Although 29 years have passed since Gordon was killed, we are still determined to get justice for his family.

“A murder investigation is never closed, and we are taking this opportunity to appeal again to the community for help with our investigation.

“Loyalties can change over time and we believe that there are people in the community who know who was responsible. If those people are in a different situation and now feel able to assist, I would urge them to come forward and help us to get closure for Gordon’s family.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the social media desk @MerPolCC, call 101, or you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.