Ten years, four arrests and still no answers: Who killed Scott Buchanan?

Detectives investigating the murder of Scott Buchanan on the doorstep of his Black Country home have made a fresh appeal for information on the 10th anniversary of his death.

The 23-year-old was shot in the chest at his home in Callaghan Drive, Tividale, just after 9pm on November 12, 2008.

Mr Buchanan's mother suffered a head injury when she was attacked after answering the door shortly before the murder, while Mr Buchanan's brother was sleeping upstairs.

Despite four arrests and nearly 1,000 witness statements having been taken, no one has been charged with his murder.

'Brutal murder'

"Scott was at home that evening with his brother and mother when there was a knock at the door," Detective Superintendent Matt Markham explained this morning.

"His mother Caron went and opened the door – and was immediately assaulted by two men.

"She managed to escape, despite being injured and went to call for help.

WATCH: Detectives launch fresh appeal

"But while she was out of the house, the two offenders entered and at least one of them fired a shotgun at Scott, fatally wounding him.

"It was a brutal murder. First his mother was assaulted and sustained a head injury.

"They have then gone into the house armed with a 12-gauge shotgun, while his brother was asleep upstairs and discharged a shot to Scott's chest. Nothing could be done to save him.

"There were arrests made after his murder, but no one was ever charged. We don't have any new leads in the investigation at this point."

West Midlands Police say they have regularly reviewed the murder investigation and now, a decade to the day since the shooting, have launched a new plea for information.

Drug convictions

Scott's mother and brother were both jailed in April 2010 after the murder exposed them as being involved in a lucrative drugs racket.

Police investigating the killing found £14,250 cash and £27,680 worth of cocaine and amphetamines at the family home.

Errol Buchanan was jailed for six years after admitting possessing cocaine and amphetamine with intent to supply, while Mrs Buchanan was locked up for 12 months after admitting acquiring criminal property and money laundering.

But, when asked if he thought drugs were related to the killing, Mr Markham said police had to keep an open mind.

He said: "A number of hypotheses were explored at the time and revisited several times, but we do have to keep an open mind and until we understand why and identify who was responsible establishing the motive is somewhat difficult.

"With there being no obvious lines of enquiry at this point, ten years is an opportunity to ask those people, who I am certain have carried with them for ten years information around who is responsible, to revisit their conscience and recognise the grief and distress this has caused Caron and the family – and do the right thing and come forward."

"If anyone does have information that could lead to us identifying who killed Scott that would bring closure to the family after such a long time.

"While the murderer may have been able to move on, Scott’s family have been forced to live with part of them missing for a decade.

"At least let them get the truth and see the person responsible for taking away a loved one face up to their devastating actions."

'Haunt me forever'

Scott's mother, Caron Buchanan, added: "Nothing can ever take away the pain of losing Scott and there is not a day that goes by without him being in our thoughts.

"He had his life ahead of him and although I am a grandmother, I often think about whether I would have been a grandmother to his children too.

"Being close to him when it happened, but being so defenceless to stop it, is something that will haunt me forever.

"I would plead for anyone with any information which can help the police to please come forward and end our suffering of not knowing who killed my son."

Anyone with information can call West Midlands Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.