Emotional family appeal over unsolved Chase Tate death

The family of Chase Tate have released an emotional video appeal as police continue to investigate his death after a hit and run two years ago.

Chase Richard Tate, 23, also known as Chase North, died on the A1104 at Miles Cross Hill, Ulceby on Saturday, January 7, 2017.

Lincolnshire Police spoke to Chase’s parents Chris and Penny Tate in a video appeal released on Wednesday, May 8 about “every parents’ worst nightmare”.

The force is urging people to get in touch to help bring closure to the family.

It is believed Chase was walking on the road towards Ulceby Cross from Alford at around 5am when he was struck and killed by a hit and run driver.

Chase had been on a night out in Skegness with friends. On his return to Alford in the early hours he decided to walk towards the Ulceby Cross filling station from Alford. He was a short distance from the roundabout when he was struck.

Chase Tate was found dead by the roadside on Saturday, January 7, 2017

Two men aged 23 and 25 were arrested in connection with the incident, released on bail and then released with no further action. A 58-year-old man was also previously arrested and released under investigation. All these arrests were back in 2017.

EMOpSS, Lincolnshire Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, probed the incident and have spoken to every person that they know used the road that morning. They have also examined every vehicle for collision damage but the case remains unsolved.

As previously reported, a pre-inquest review was held by Lincolnshire Coroners Service on May 3 before a date was set for the final hearing. The final hearing will take place at 10am on August 8 at Judges Lodgings near the castle gates in Lincoln.

Head of the unit detective inspector Ewan Gell said: “We don’t close unsolved cases and we are certainly not forgetting what happened to Chase.

“He was a young man with his whole life ahead of him – he didn’t deserve this and his death is on someone’s conscience.

“I cannot begin to understand how anyone can live with that, and it’s very possible that others know the truth too.

“Somewhere out there an individual or a group of individuals who know what happened and I urge them to get in contact with us to help bring closure to Chase’s family.

“A lot of time has passed. Someone may have overheard a conversation in a pub or may have direct knowledge of what happened.

“We know that friendships and allegiances change and I would urge anyone who knows something to get in touch by calling 101 quoting incident 54 of January 7, 2017.”

Chase’s brother Ford North previously pleaded guilty to one charge of theft and two charges of fraud between January 1 and February 28, 2017.

North stole £950 donated for a plaque in memory of his dead brother.

Lincoln Crown Court heard North accepted donations of £50 and £900 from two friends after stating he was raising funds for a memorial plaque at the scene of his brother’s death.

He apologised after being given a suspended sentence by a judge.