A SMOKER could hold the key to unlocking the mystery behind a Worthing man’s murder.

Stephen Frith, 58, was found dead last year on October 27 in a flat in Tarring Road, West Worthing, where police also discovered several butts from Rothmans cigarettes among the evidence.

Police say he had been physically attacked before his death.

They say the smoker of these cigarettes may have “significant information”to help them solve the mystery behind his murder.

Detective chief inspector Emma Heater, from the Surrey and Sussex major crime team, said: “Among the evidence collected from Stephen’s flat were several butts from smoked Rothmans cigarettes, but we have not identified the person whose DNA has been recovered from them.

“Stephen was well known in the Worthing area. He was a brother and a son and I am appealing for anyone with information about his death to come forward, especially if they know who was in the flat smoking those cigarettes prior to his death or indeed, recognise themselves as that person.

“I also urge anyone else who saw or heard anything suspicious in the area between 7pm on Wednesday, October 25 October and 5.25pm on Friday October 27 or who may have other information to get in touch.”

Mr Frith’s father, Ian, has described not knowing exactly what happened to his son as a “terrible pain”.

Ian Frith, from Lancing, said: “This not knowing what happened and having no end to the thing is really getting us down.

“My one fear is that because of my age now I don’t know how much longer I’ve got to go.

“To end up going without actually finding out what happened is really getting to me”.

DCI Heater added: “It has been a year since Stephen’s body was discovered.

“His family have described him as someone with ‘a big heart’ and they deserve an answer as to how he died and at whose hand.”

Three men aged 40, 38 and 20 and a 22-year-old woman, all from Worthing, have been arrested in connection with Mr Frith’s murder.

All four have currently been released under investigation.

The charity Crimestoppers has offered £10,000 for more information about his murder.

Only information provided directly to Crimestoppers will qualify.

If you have any information on Mr Frith’s murder, the police ask you to contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through the non-traceable anonymous online form at crimestoppers-uk.org quoting Operation Clyde.