A murder detective has repeated his call for a Norfolk man who killed his wife then cut up her body to help her family put her to rest.

Nicky Ward, 29, was last week convicted of murdering 22-year-old Emma Ward, formerly Noonan, at their home in Rockland St Peter, near Attleborough. Norwich Crown Court heard that he used an electric saw to dismember her body in the bath and no trace of her has ever been found.

After the trial Det Chief Insp Neil Luckett backed calls by Mrs Ward's family for the killer to tell police where her body was.

Speaking outside court, Mrs Ward's brother, Alex Noonan, read a statement on behalf of the family: 'We are all truly devastated by having my sister taken from us in such a cruel way. We have not been able to grieve for Emma because we do not know where she is. All we want is to be given the opportunity to say our final goodbyes and let her rest in peace. If Nick Ward has any remorse he must do the decent thing and tell us where he has put Emma.'

Despite the public pleas, Mr Luckett said Ward, who has been ordered to serve a minimum of 22 years of a life sentence, is yet to offer any information to Norfolk police.

Extensive searches were carried out following Mrs Ward's death which is believed to have happened at some point between early April and late May last year. Police are now exploring various lines of inquiry in a bid to trace her.

Mr Luckett told the EDP: 'I would repeat my direct plea to Nicky Ward to tell us where he disposed of Emma. I hope he will have the decency to tell me where she is. The trial should have provided some closure for the family but they are left with unanswered questions and are unable to put her to rest.

'We have other lines of inquiry and we will leave no stone unturned. There may be somebody who knows something or who saw something suspicious at the time which now seems relevant.

'But there is no doubt that our best chance of finding Emma is for Nicky Ward to speak to us.'

Mrs Ward had worked has a barmaid and waitress in several Norfolk pubs. Ward was unemployed at the time of the killing.

Ward denied murder, saying he killed his wife by accident and insisting he could not recall disposing of the body. Prosecutors said he was a 'cold and calculating' killer, determined to cover his tracks by hiding the body and redecorating the couple's home to mask forensic evidence.

Anyone with information should contact the Norfolk and Suffolk major investigation team on 0845 456 4567.

ben.kendall@archant.co.uk