Detectives have launched a renewed appeal for information about the death of Ashley Dighton, who was found with his head missing in Ashford scrubland.

The 19-year-old's body was discovered in woodland behind the Sainsbury’s Bybrook store on July 11, 2007. He had last been seen on June 11, near the supermarket.

He had been partially stripped, and a carrier bag containing his t-shirt and a missing rib was discovered 100 metres from the remains. Ashley’s shoes were found nearby but his trousers were gone.

Most disturbingly, his head was missing as well as parts of both arms. A huge search was sparked, but to this day, his head and killer have not been found.

A murder investigation carried out by Kent Police saw more than 1,000 people spoken to, hundreds of hours of CCTV footage examined and more than 2,000 exhibits seized.

Det Chf Insp Neil Kimber said: “No case is ever completely closed and we are still determined to get answers for Ashley's family over what happened to him 16 years ago.

“I am hoping that, following the passage of time since his death, someone may have information that they can now share with us.

“I urge anyone who may be able to assist us to come forward so that we and Ashley's family can have a better understanding of what happened to him.”

On the day he was last seen, Ashley crossed the ring road towards Canterbury Road, on his way to the supermarket, which is between Simone Weil Avenue and Junction 9 of the M20.

Witnesses reported seeing him in and around the supermarket before he was last spotted walking towards a pathway through the woodland, near the place where he was later found dead.

In a statement, Ashley's loved ones said their family has been destroyed since his death.

They said: “Sixteen years ago we lost our beloved brother and son Ashley Dighton. Since this tragic news, our family have been destroyed.

“Our father and mother have not been the same since and I don't think any of us have slept properly. Ashley was a loyal and gentle soul with his whole life ahead of him.

“He has been cheated cruelly out of the happy future he deserved. Ashley had lots of friends due to his loyal and friendly personality.”

They went on: “As a family we ask anyone who has any knowledge of what happened to Ashley to please come forward. We really need to know why Ashley was taken from us and there are people who know.

“Alliances change and people move on and have children of their own. What may have been difficult once to talk about may be different now. Please do the right thing.”

Ashley's mother, Janet Dighton, added: “Ashley will be loved and missed, gone but never forgotten and always in our hearts. Love Mum.”

Speaking to KentOnline this month, Ashley’s family explained that that every year they mark his death by laying a flower at the site where he was found.

His brother David said: "It is difficult to be around that area knowing what happened and it is not somewhere we go regularly.

"When we put the flowers down there, it looked like there was a homeless person down there in a tent.

"It makes you wonder if they would stay there if they had known what happened to Ashley. It just feels like a bad place.”

Asked about their continued search for answers, David said: "We will continue to appeal. There are so many unanswered questions.

"There is always hope and this is all we can do."

Anyone with any information should contact Kent Police on 01843 222289.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or complete their online form.