Billy Sibbald's family called on those who knew his killer to show compassion and come forward.

Mr Sibbald disappeared after he received a phone call at home and then told his wife Julie, 43, he was going to meet a business associate. He was picked up at home in the Portobello area of Edinburgh at about 8pm on Tuesday, October 8, 2002.

His body was found three months later by the side of the A1, about 10 minutes away. It is thought he was murdered shortly after he disappeared and his body – which had several stab wounds – dumped around that time.

Mr Sibbald, 48, ran the Pop Inn bar in Portobello after selling the Orchid House sauna in Edinburgh's New Town.

In a statement, the family said: "We have spent 10 Christmases, birthdays and Father's days without knowing how or why the one person who should be here to celebrate with us died.

"We have and will always miss having a husband, dad and brother at these family occasions, and we hope someone, somewhere, has the compassion and humility to come forward to help the police and our family."

One theory investigated by police was that the killing was a gangland hit.

Mr Sibbald's son Craig, 35, who works as an office administrator, said: "All the speculation about why it happened has been difficult to deal with. A person has been murdered here regardless of his background."

He added: "It's been extremely difficult over the last 10 years. I don't know if people were too scared to talk about what they knew at the time.

"All I know is we are urging people now to help us find out what happened."

Detective Inspector Scott Cunningham, from Lothian and Borders Police, said they had never given up their efforts to bring those responsible to justice.

He said: "His family were robbed of a loving husband and father in the cruellest of circumstances, and we remain as determined as ever to achieve justice for them.

"We firmly believe the key to solving his murder lies in the local community, and we are appealing directly to anyone with information to come forward.

"We understand people may have previously been reluctant to approach police with any information they had at the time of his murder, however we recognise that with the passage of time, people's personal circumstances and loyalties may have changed, and they may now be willing to share any information they have with us.

"There are a number of items of clothing and jewellery Billy was last seen wearing, which have never been recovered.

"These items, which include a distinctive lighter, are currently featured on the Lothian and Borders Police website.

"We would urge people to view the items, and if they recognise them or have any information regarding their potential whereabouts, to report it to us."