Karl O’Hare is wanted in connection with the murder of his dad and the attempted murder of his mum
16:18, 04 Sep 2025Updated 17:02, 04 Sep 2025
Karl O’Hare is wanted in connection with the murder of his dad and the attempted murder of his mum(Image: Merseyside Police)
A man wanted in connection with the murder of his dad failed to appear for a pre-trial hearing and hasn’t been seen since. Karl O’Hare, 42, has been wanted since 2003, after being charged the year before in connection with the murder of his dad John and the attempted murder of his mum Diane at the family home in Birch Close in Oxton.
Mrs O’Hare died as a result of her serious injuries 16 years later. O’Hare failed to appear at Liverpool Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing in 2003.
A year later, his brother Mark Williams, then 25, was found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and attempted murder. He was sentenced to life and was found hanged at Ashworth Hospital in 2014.
Issuing a new appeal for information on O’Hare’s whereabouts, superintendent Matthew Moscrop said: “The warrant for Karl O’Hare’s arrest was issued in 2003 but despite the time passed, we remain determined to track him down and put him before the courts. All information which comes into us is thoroughly reviewed and any further action taken.
“Extensive enquiries have been ongoing, including a previous media appeal, and this work will continue.
“John and Diane O’Hare are both now tragically deceased, as is Mark Williams, so if anyone knows where Karl is, search your conscience and tell us what you know.
“People’s loyalties and circumstances can change, so if this applies to you, speak to us directly or anonymously via Crimestoppers and we will do the rest.”
Mr O’Hare, 51, was stabbed and battered with a hammer, while his wife, aged 44 in 2003, was found unconscious. Mrs O’Hare was in a coma for seven months after the assault and required daily nursing care. The husband and wife were discovered by their youngest son John.
Following Williams’ conviction, police believed O’Hare could have been dead. However, an investigating officer said at the time: “Our job is not to presume whether Karl is alive or dead, we are keeping an open mind…While Karl is on the run, his family will never be able to put this tragedy behind them.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard from the age of 12 that Williams had expressed a desire to “finish off” his parents.
The court heard Williams, who had been living in Birmingham at the time of his offences, left a letter at the scene which read: “Police. Killing my father was an accident. I just wanted him in a coma like my mother, but he fought back.”
The ECHO previously reported how O’Hare had given a series of interviews to police under caution following his arrest. He gave an address of Bridge Street in Birkenhead.
Police said O’Hare is described as white, 6ft tall and when last seen, had short brown hair and a goatee. His current appearance is not known. He is believed to have links to Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via our website: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/ or call 101 quoting incident reference 0517278533.Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously.