Detectives have identified a 60-year-old man whose disappearance prompted the apprehension of 11 individuals on suspicion of murder. Leicestershire Police disclosed that an extensive search involving construction equipment and excavation teams was ongoing at a property in Leicester linked to the case of Gary Piatek. Nine individuals detained on Tuesday are still in police custody, as confirmed in a statement released by the police force on Thursday.
According to the statement, investigations have established that Mr. Piatek was last seen in April 2024, with no evidence of his whereabouts since then. Specialized assistance is being extended to several of his close acquaintances.
A thorough search is currently being conducted at a location in Evington as part of the inquiry. Law enforcement anticipates a substantial amount of police presence at the site in the upcoming days and weeks, with the deployment of expert search personnel, construction machinery, and forensic investigators.
Detective Inspector Michael Chandler, the Senior Investigating Officer from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, stated, “We are actively piecing together the events surrounding Mr. Piatek’s disappearance. We urge anyone with relevant information about him or the circumstances leading to his disappearance to come forward.”
Emphasizing that the operation is unrelated to counter-terrorism efforts, Detective Inspector Chandler urged the public to assist in the investigation.
Of the individuals arrested on suspicion of murder, six men aged 61, 43, 34, 33, 25, and 21, along with two women aged 34 and 29, are still in custody. Another individual, a 50-year-old man, was arrested for aiding an offender and remains in police custody.
While two men aged 25 and 23, and a 23-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of murder, have been released pending further inquiries, the investigation continues.
