A gold necklace that belonged to murdered taxi driver Matthew Zahra has disappeared after it was taken by the police as evidence, a police inspector said yesterday.

Inspector Chris Pullicino informed Magistrate Josette Demicoli that the police were looking into the matter after the “necklace went missing” during the investigation into the death of the 27-year-old.

The issue came to light during the compilation of evidence against Jason Galea, 39, from Marsa, and Ronald Urry, 49, of Paola, who are both pleading not guilty to killing Mr Zahra in August last year.

Lawyer Stefano Filletti, appearing for the Zahra family, had filed a request in court to have the necklace returned as they needed to keep up with “their living expenses”.

However, lawyer Joe Giglio, speaking on behalf of Mr Galea, said the necklace was a piece of evidence and it was not opportune to release it. The inspector at this point revealed it had gone missing.

The necklace had been mentioned by the owner of a Birżebbuġa field where Mr Zahra’s remains were buried. He testified that he saw Mr Urry shoot Mr Zahra and search his pockets, finding the necklace which Mr Galea then kept.

Mr Zahra’s bones were found a year after his body was burnt and buried in a field where the bodies of Mario Camilleri, known as l-Imnieħru, and his 21-year-old son Mario Jr were also found last August.

In separate proceedings, Mr Galea, together with George Galea, 41, of St Julian’s, are denying murdering the Camilleris. Mr Galea and Mr Urry were granted bail last week, almost 13 months after being charged with Mr Zahra’s murder, against a deposit of €30,000 and a personal guarantee of €30,000 each.