A gold necklace that belonged to Matthew Zahra, whose body was found buried in a field in Birzebbuga last year, went missing during the investigation, a court heard yesterday.

Jason Galea, 39, of Marsa and Ronald Urry, 49, of Paola are pleading not guilty to Mr Zahra’s murder. Mr Zahra had been missing since August 2012.

The necklace was mentioned during the compilation of evidence with witness Alfredo Attard saying that before burying Mr Zahra and covering his body with soil, Mr Urry had taken a gold necklace from around Mr Zahra’s neck but Mr Galea had asked him to put it back.

Stefano Filletti, appearing for the Zahra family, this morning made a formal request to the court for the necklace. The family, he said, needed it to keep up with their living expenses.

But prosecuting inspector Chris Pullicino said the necklace had gone missing during the investigation and an inquiry was looking into the matter.

Lawyer Joe Giglio, speaking on behalf of Mr Galea, said the necklace was evidence and it was not opportune to release it.