THE leading investigator in the case against murderer Francesco D’Agostino has thanked colleagues for a “detailed and thorough investigation”.

Detective Superintendent Alex Geldart, who led the investigation that saw the Italian chef jailed for a minimum of 22 years, said she is “grateful” for the work of her team.

Drug dealer Serxhio Marku, 21, was killed by D’Agostino in a “ferocious” assault at a flat in Brighton on September 11, 2019.

Det Supt Geldart said she hoped the verdict provided some answers about Mr Marku’s death.

She said: “Our thoughts are with Serxhio’s family and friends. They have lost a much-loved son and brother. Throughout our investigation, his family have conducted themselves with utmost dignity, despite their tragic loss.

“We hope that we have provided some of the answers as to how Serxhio met his death.

“Francesco D’Agostino killed Serxhio Marku in a brutal attack.

“Despite his claims that his colleague Giuseppe Petriccione was responsible, the court has found him guilty and I thank the jury for their verdict.

“From the moment that police were called to attend Stafford Road in the early hours of that fateful morning, this has been a detailed and thorough investigation.

I am grateful for the hard work of the investigation team and the courage of witnesses who have supported police enquiries.”

Police smashed their way into the flat in Stafford Road and found Mr Marku with 13 stab wounds and more than 50 head injuries.

At least one of the stab wounds would have been fatal.

Mr Marku also had defensive injuries to his hands from where he had fought for his life and tried to escape.

D’Agostino was sharing the flat with another Italian man, Giuseppe Petriccione

A jury of 11 at Brighton Crown Court acquitted Mr Petriccione, 46, of murder on Wednesday.