The horror of what happened behind closed curtains hangs over them (2025)

'A very difficult time for the city'

The horror of what happened behind closed curtains hangs over the community where Stuart Everett lived and lost his life in unimaginable circumstances. A murder so appalling and gruesome in its nature many neighbours didn't want to talk about it.

In court it was simply dubbed 'indescribably awful'.

There were 'extensive searches of land and water' to find his body, said Greater Manchester Police, spanning 19 areas across Salford and north Manchester in total. Detectives were able to locate Stuart's remains or DNA at six locations.

"It's a massive thing and it's too awful to think about," one resident who lives nearby told the Manchester Evening News of Stuart's murder at the hands of his housemate Marcin Majerkiewicz, who was found guilty by a jury on Friday after a trial.

"Obviously people are aware, but it's a terrible thing and doesn't bear thinking about."

Stuart's close neighbours spoke of a quiet man - a regular 'bookie man' who enjoyed placing a bet. In the summer months, they said he enjoyed feeding the birds in the back garden of his home on Worsley Road in Winton, Salford - a serene image completely at odds with the shocking details of his terrible murder.

Known as 'Benny' to his family, he was not married and had no children. He was said to be a fan of “Rat Pack” singers Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, and liked cricket.

Salford council, meanwhile, said the 'appalling act of violence and the tragic circumstances that unfolded' had been 'felt deeply in our community'. The council spoke out to thank police and Salford residents for their 'resilience' - and sent its condolences to Stuart's family and friends.

Bosses said it had been a 'difficult time for the city'.

Over the course of months in early spring last year, residents in Winton - and further afield across Salford - slowly learnt of the discovery of body parts at various locations.

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The horror discoveries were repeated, but until the trial no one knew what had gone on behind the closed doors of the unassuming terrace house where Stuart, 67, lived. All they saw was skips and bags outside - and they were told a ruse that Stuart had simply moved away.

It emerged Majerkiewicz 'assumed' Stuart's identity for three weeks after murdering him, sending Stuart's family WhatsApp messages and even birthday cards and gifts. "Stuart's family were misled to believe that he was still alive," said police.

"I did see him out walking then saw the skips outside the house,” said another resident of Stuart, who didn’t want to give their name.

"It was a shock when we heard what had happened and it’s a difficult thing to understand why someone would do such a thing."

Neighbour Peter Hubert said Stuart moved into the house in 2012 and lived there for 12 years. He said he worked for the Department of Work and Pensions, but in the 12 months before his death had started to use a walking stick.

Mr Hubert, in a statement read out to the jury during the trial, said they would chat together over their garden fences. Then one day, jurors were told Stuart just wasn't there anymore.

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Mr Hubert told of first noticing 'about 20 bin bags under the front bay window' of Stuart's home. Aware that he had moved in two lodgers - one of them Majerkiewicz - he said he simply presumed 'someone must be moving out'. By then Stuart had been brutally murdered, his body cut up and disposed of across Salford. Mr Hubert told how he noticed the windows of the house were 'open as wide as they could go'.

"The curtains were always shut in that room," he said. "I thought it was unusual they were suddenly wide open, I thought they were clearing the place to get fresh air in. I thought it was unusual that he didn't come to say goodbye if he was moving."

Mr Hubert told of skips arriving and bags being thrown into vans. He said he was told Stuart had gone to stay with his brother after suffering a stroke.

“I was surprised not to hear from Stuart, especially if he was moving to his brothers," said Mr Hubert. "I didn’t think of him as a neighbour, more as a friend really."

Councillor Barbara Bentham, lead member for neighbourhoods, environment and community safety at Salford City Council, said: "We send our heartfelt condolences to Mr Everett's family and friends who have faced a heartbreaking loss and immense pain during the police investigation and subsequent trial into this senseless crime.

"We welcome the outcome of the trial and appreciate the tireless work undertaken by our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police to bring about justice for Stuart. This appalling act of violence and the tragic circumstances that unfolded have been felt deeply in our community. I would like to thank the residents of Salford for their resilient and supportive response during what has been a very difficult time for the city.

"If anyone has been affected by this distressing case, I would urge them to seek the help and support that is available through speaking to the NHS or accessing mental health and wellbeing services via our Partners in Salford website."

Majerkiewicz will be sentenced next Friday (March 28).