THE heartbroken partner of a murdered dad Michael Freshwater has made an emotional appeal for people to come forward and help the police investigation into his death.

Heartbroken Jenny Downey says she wants justice for the “cruel” murder of her “perfect gentleman” who she described as “my world, my everything”.

The dad-of-four’s body was found at a flat in Westridge Road, Portswood, on April 29, sparking a major investigation in which 12 people have so far been arrested.

Police believe there may have been a dispute at the flat earlier in the day, before his body was discovered at 4.15pm.

A £10,000 reward has been offered for information that could help find the killer of 49-year-old Mr Freshwater, who was known as Micky.

Crimestoppers is offering the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible for his murder, while police are continuing to search for Kevin Suika in relation to the murder.

They are asking for the public’s help to track down the 21-year-old, who is believed to be from London and is described as black, 5ft 7in, with a tattoo on his left arm that reads “Work like a slave, eat like a king”.

Miss Downey, a 31-year-old NHS worker from Swaythling, has paid tribute to her partner as the investigation continues.

She said he is “already sorely missed by so many people”, whose friends described him “as a wonderful man, a true gentleman. They told me he lit up their lives.”

At Christmas time Mr Freshwater would volunteer to serve hot meals to homeless people within St Mary’s Parish, and Miss Downey continued: “Micky always got great satisfaction from helping others.

“He was a very selfless person and got involved with volunteer work to make other people smile and make them happy.

“I can’t believe he has been taken away from us.”

“I still can’t accept he’s gone and still expect to see him walking through the front door with a big smile on his face, or planting new flowers in the garden which he enjoyed doing so much.

“There are so many things we had planned for this summer, going on a family holiday, redecorating the house, and going to Bournemouth beach for the day where we loved to go.

“Micky was the love of my life, my rock, my best friend, my world, my everything. I will never stop missing him or loving him. I feel so lost without him and the pain never ends.

“Nothing makes sense anymore.

“I can’t believe it and don’t want to believe it – my perfect gentleman, my Micky.

“I just feel so broken and so empty.

“I know I won’t ever get over this, I just want him back. And I just want to know what happened and get justice for something that is so, so cruel.”

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Kevin Suika, pictured left, or has any information which could assist officers in locating him is asked to contact Hampshire Constabulary on 101 quoting Operation Windless.

Anyone with information can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or through an online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Police have made 12 arrests so far:

  • A 21-year-old man was arrested on May 13 on suspicion of murder and has been bailed until July 12.
  • A 17-year-old old from London was arrested on May 10 on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to supply class A drugs and later released on bail until July 12.
  • A 34-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on May 9 on suspicion of assisting an offender and later released on bail until July 7.
  • A 16-year-old boy from Kent was arrested on suspicion of murder and conspiracy to supply class A drugs on May 7 and later released on bail until June 21.
  • A 30-year-old woman from Southampton was arrested on May 4 on suspicion of perverting course of justice and later released on bail until June 10.
  • A 23-year-old woman from Southampton was arrested on May 3 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs. She has since been released on bail until July 6.
  • A 24-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on May 3 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and assisting an offender. He has since been bailed until July 6 pending further enquiries.
  • A 22-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on May 2 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and has since been bailed until July 5.
  • A 43-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on May 2 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply class A drugs and was later released on bail until July 5.
  • A 26-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, April 30 and has been bailed until August 2 pending further enquiries.
  • A 35-year-old man from Southampton was arrested on April 30 on suspicion of murder and was later released without charge.
  • The two men charged in connection with Mr Freshwater’s death:
  • Ashton Singh, 26, of Westridge Road appeared before Southampton Magistrates on May 3 charged with perverting the course of justice and has been remanded in custody.
  • Tristan Pope, aged 21, from Eastcote Lane, London, has been charged with conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He has been held on remand and due to appear at Southampton Crown Court on June 17.