The family of a man found dead at his home earlier this year have spoken about how he was just about to start his life afresh and move in with his loved ones.

Police launched a murder inquiry after the body of 59-year-old Steve Berry was discovered at his home in Kinross Close, Princes Park.

Despite the investigation by officers from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, no one has yet been charged.

Mr Berry’s family say they are still waiting for justice and can’t grieve properly until his killer is brought before the courts.

They also revealed that Mr Berry was killed just two weeks before he was due to move in with his family and spend Christmas with his children and nine granddaughters.

It was something he had not done for several years. Mr Berry had lived alone for some time as he battled a drink problem. He had moved to Kinross Close from Brompton about two years before he died.

Speaking exclusively to the Medway Messenger, his stepdaughter Yvette Philpott, 34, said: “He was our dad and we miss him. The past six months have been really difficult for us as a family.”

Mr Berry moved to Medway about 25 years ago when he met Miss Philpott’s mother. Miss Philpott and her brother were just youngsters at the time and the new family set up home in Wayfield.

During the early 90s the couple went on to have a son together and over the years Mr Berry worked hard to provide for his family.

Miss Philpott said: “He had several different jobs over the years and he worked in a warehouse and was a forklift truck driver.

“He also worked as a chef, he never claimed benefits. He had jobs in restaurants like Beefeater and even at KFC. He also used to do discos too, he was always a worker.”

Sadly, after many happy years together, the couple’s relationship broke down and about a decade ago, they split up for good and Mr Berry moved out of the family home.

Miss Philpott, a mother-of-four, added: “Dad moved to Brompton and was working in a warehouse at the time but unfortunately he lost his job and his driving licence.”

It was at this low point in his life Mr Berry lost contact with some of his family and his drinking problem worsened.

She added: “We saw him occasionally and then he moved to Princes Park and we bonded again and would visit him regularly.”

“He would talk to anyone, he was a very friendly person and would never hurt a fly. He would get on with everyone.

“He was a lovely chap and had no malice in him whatsoever, he would never cause any trouble and was a storyteller.

“He was also a collector of items, he would collect everything and anything.”

“Dad was also very practical, he would bring me light bulbs or things I needed for around the house instead of flowers.”

Mr Berry also became a member of the nearby church, Christ the King.

Miss Philpott added: “He was a bit lonely there (in Kinross Close) and would talk to everyone.

“He has nine granddaughters and in August he was going to be moving in with my brother.

“He was so looking forward to it and it is all he spoke about.

“It gave him a new lease of life and he was looking forward to spending more time with his granddaughters.

“Everything was in place for the move, but he was killed just two weeks before it was meant to happen.”

Miss Philpott added: “It is absolutely tragic what’s happened to him. We as a family have been in shock since then.

“It has bought us closer together and we have been supporting each other and we had a quiet private funeral for him in September.

“Myself and dad had our differences in the past, but we were so looking forward to him moving in with my brother, having a relationship as adults, and this would have been the first Christmas as such.

“We were looking forward to celebrating it together but instead we are going through this difficult time.

“We can’t move on until the killer is found and that person is still out there and needs to be caught.

“As a family we would like to say thank you to all the people who have helped the police with their inquiries so far and all the kind words people said on the KentOnline post and for the flowers and cards left at his flat.

“Our whole family have been to his church a couple of times since his death and we have met some really nice people there that all really liked him.

“We are thinking of holding a memorial service there once the whole thing is over so people can come and pay their respects to him.”

Three people arrested on suspicion of murdering Mr Berry have had their bail extended again until just before Christmas.

His neighbour, Graham Fitzgerald, 47, was arrested shortly after the discovery and has since spoken out to declare his innocence.

Mr Fitzgerald has now had his bail extended until December 23, as has a 27-year-old woman, of no fixed address, and a 29-year-old Rochester man.

Police have not yet made any other arrests and are still keen to speak to anyone who may have information.

In October, a fourth person, a 29-year-old from Chatham, who was also arrested on suspicion of murder, was released without charge.

If you can help the investigation, call DS Fiona Mattholie on 01303 289600 quoting crime reference XY/024417/15.