A man who dedicated his life to saving children was shot dead in what police believe was a case of mistaken identity.
Craig Eaton was mercilessly fatally shot 20 years ago today on Saturday, February 24 2004, as he walked to a friend’s house. The shooting took place on Molyneux Road in Kensington, near to the junction with Mallow Road.
Police believe the murder case was a case of mistaken identity. Craig, who was just 22-years-old when he died, was an Alder Hey Children’s Hospital carer and on the night he was killed was mourning the loss of one of his patients.
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Two days before his tragic death, two-year-old Michael Tierney, who had been in Craig’s care, had died. The toddler was left blind, with cerebral palsy and epilepsy after being starved of oxygen during his birth and a catalogue of errors by medical staff left him needing round the clock care.
Craig was only too happy to care for Michael and he was often seen beside him at his hospital bed, making him laugh and playing games with him. When the toddler died, Craig was heartbroken and was with a friend on the night of his murder.
Speaking to the ECHO this week, one friend said: “Craig was just Craig. He lived life and loved his job in Alder Hey.”
As Craig walked along Molyneux Road just after 11.15pm, he was gunned down in the street. Despite the best efforts of a passerby, he was pronounced dead on his arrival at Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
Twenty years on from Craig’s murder, police are still urging people to come forward with information which will bring Craig’s killer to justice. On the night of the murder it is believed that Craig, who was wearing a black cardigan over a light blue shirt, black trousers, and black shoes, got on the number 26 Arriva bus on Belmont Road. He travelled to Sheil Road, Kensington and was sat near to the front of the bus.
It is believed Craig got off at the bus stop on Sheil Road, just before the junction with Molyneux Road, between 11.05pm and 11.15pm. Detectives believe there were other passengers who stayed on the bus when Craig got off.
A number of the passengers have been identified, but back in 2021, detectives said they were still looking to speak to other people who were on the bus as they may have vital information. Detectives said they were also trying to trace the movements of two cars which were in the Molyneux Road area on the night of Craig’s murder.
The first car, a dark green Ford Mondeo, registration number Y723 RJA, with a brake light in the middle of the rear window, is believed to have been parked on Molyneux Road at the junction with Gilroy Street around the time of the murder. After the murder it is alleged the Mondeo was seen driving along Molyneux Road past the scene of the shooting, and turned left in to Mallow Road.
The car was then seen turning left onto Malvern Road and left again onto Malden Road before back into Molyneux Road. The Ford Mondeo was recovered by police on Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at the junction of Apollo Way and Barker Way, Anfield.
It had been stolen from outside Lancashire Motor Radiator Company Limited, Great Homer Street, Kirkdale, between 2pm and 2.30pm on Monday, February 23, 2004. In 2021, detectives appealed to anyone who had any information about the Mondeo, particularly its whereabouts from the time it was stolen on Monday, 23 February, 2004, and when it was found on Wednesday, March 3, 2004.
Detectives also appealed for more information about a silver/light blue Volvo 740 GL saloon car (registration G690 NFR) believed to have been in the Molyneux Road area around the time of the murder. This car also had a brake light in the middle of the rear window and had a blowing exhaust, which made a distinctive noise. It is believed the car had been sold on the day of the murder.
Detectives said they tried to establish the movements of this car on Tuesday, February 24, 2004, until it was seized by police on Friday, February 27, 2004. They also wanted to speak to the previous owner of the car as he/she may have valuable information.
Kevin Clague, Head of our Serious Crime Review Unit, told the ECHO this week: “Twenty years have passed since Craig’s death and his family have had to live knowing his killer still walks the streets. Although a considerable period of time has now gone by, we know there are people out there who know what happened that night and are key to getting justice for Craig.
“In that time people will have grown up and had their own families and may now only truly realise the devastating impact of losing a loved one in such a tragic way. To those people I would say ‘it is never too late to do the right thing’. Please come forward if you have information which could assist us in putting a killer behind bars.”
Anyone who may have information which could assist Merseyside Police’s enquiries is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call 101 or contact CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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William Turner is a seasoned U.K. correspondent with a deep understanding of domestic affairs. With a passion for British politics and culture, he provides insightful analysis and comprehensive coverage of events within the United Kingdom.
