THE sister of murdered teenager Jay Whiston has made a heartfelt plea for witnesses to come forward on the day after what would have been her brother’s 18th birthday.

Jay, of Aster Close, Clacton, was stabbed outside a party in Marlowe Way, Colchester, on September 8.

WATCH TODAY'S EMOTIONAL FAMILY APPEAL HERE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbqjXSlWlpk&feature=youtu.be

The 17-year-old Tendring Technology College student died a short time later in Colchester General Hospital.

Jay would have celebrated his 18th birthday on Sunday.

His sister Holly Fairburn, 25, and mum Caroline Shearer, 47, renewed an appeal for information at Clacton police station yesterday.

Holly said: “Saturday was the most horrendous day – at about 10pm I realised I should have been out enjoying his 18th birthday party with all his friends.

“We should have been drinking and dancing.

“I grew up with Jay. I used to pick on him and terrorise he – he was my little brother.
“I would give anything to back to those days.”

Holly, who lives in Braintree, said her sons Alfie, five, and Archie, four, are distraught and miss their uncle.

Jay’s mum Caroline said she marked what would have been Jay’s 18th birthday by visiting his grave at Burrs Road Cemetery in Great Clacton.

She added: “We went up to his grave a few times and there were 30 odd people there.

“It felt so surreal. It should have been a happy day – we should have been at his party

“His friends went for a quiet meal and sang happy birthday and raised a glass to him.”

The detective leading the investigation has appealed for help to trace a red and white t-shirt linked to the case.

Senior investigating officer, Det Con Insp Simon Parkes said clothing had been sized from all those suspected of the crime, but that the River Island t-shirt is the only item of clothing not accounted for.

Officers are also renewing their appeal to trace the murder weapon, which is thought to be a knife.

He said: “We gave had a tremendous amount of support from those at the party. We have spoken to 145 people so far.

“I think there are people at that party that we still haven’t spoken to and there may be people we have spoken to who may have remembered information since.

“I have no doubt there will be people out there who know who is responsible, but out of a misled legacy are protecting them - I urge them to contact us in confidence.”

Eight people arrested in relation to the murder had their bail extended until March 22.

Anyone with information about the stabbing is urged to call Colchester’s major investigation team on 101, email SCD appeals@essex.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Police can also be contacted via BlackBerry Messenger on 264cc35e.