Philip was looking forward to celebrating his 57th birthday with his family on Saturday 17th April, but it was not to be.
He was found dead by his support worker at 11.30am on Friday 16th April, having been seriously assaulted in his ground floor flat in Edward Henry Street in Rhyl.
Originally from Manchester, the family moved to Rhyl over 40 years ago, having spent several years on holiday in the area.
Philip was one of the late Elizabeth (Betty) and John Holmes’ seven children. A pupil of the former Glyndwr School (now Christ Church) in Rhyl he was well known in the Rhyl area.
After leaving school he worked with a local coal merchant, but at the age of 18 he was involved in an accident at work and was left disabled and unable to walk without the aid of a frame.
He did not have any specific hobbies, but enjoyed going to the local pubs for company. In recent years he had stayed with friends and lived in hostels in the area, but in March he moved into his flat and determined to improve his life.
“He was just getting himself back together,” said his younger brother Andrew Holmes.
“As a family we were all trying to help him make his flat a bit more of a home. And we had all planned to take him out for dinner on Saturday so that we could celebrate his birthday as a family,” said his sister Carolyn Trehearn.
“He had so much to look forward to. He was disabled and vulnerable but he was a proud, gentle person, who knew he needed help.”
Appealing for information relating to the murder, Detective Chief Inspector John Hanson explained: “We are looking at a number of motives. There are a number of items missing from the flat and we suspect that Philip sustained his injuries in the flat, but we are keeping an open mind as to whether a weapon was used.”
“Philip was distinctive because of his disability. He was vulnerable from a mobility perspective and we are appealing to anyone who knew him or who knew of his movements to contact the incident room.”
Anyone with information relating to Philip’s death is urged to contact the major incident room in St Asaph on 101; 0845 6071001 (Welsh line) 0845 6071002 (English line) or Crimestoppers Wales on 0800 555 111. Alternatively text 66767 or e-mail [email protected]
