Reward to track city model's kidnappers

Aug 4 2006 By Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

MURDER detectives in Birmingham today offered a £5,000 reward for help nailing those behind the kidnap and murder of a former model.

They urged anyone with information about André Nunes to come forward - and help ease the pain of his family.

Mr Nunes vanished from his Weoley Castle home last September. His door had been kicked in, but nothing appeared to have been stolen.

No money has been withdrawn from his bank account since his disappearance and there has been no contact.

The case was initially a missing person's inquiry. But in March West Midlands Police said they believed Mr Nunes, aged 47, had been killed.

Det Chief Insp Matthew Ward, leading the investigation, said: "All of the circumstances surrounding this case are a cause of grave concern. The motive for such a callous act is unknown.

"It is now almost a year since André was last seen, and throughout that time his family have had to live with the uncertainty of not knowing what has happened to him. Somebody has information which can help us understand why André would be taken and harmed.

"I am appealing to those people to come forward now so that André's family can begin to come to terms with the loss of their son and brother."

Police have interviewed more than 200 people and seized 500 exhibits. Three people were arrested in September 2005 and released without charge.

Earlier this year, grief-stricken sister Siobhan pleaded for help to trace her lost brother.

"My family is devastated that despite arduous investigations we have absolutely no clue what has happened to him.

"André was a star in my eyes. I think I can speak for the whole family by saying my brother will always be alive and well in our mind."

The reward is being offered by Crimestoppers charity via the confidential hotline, 0800 555 111.

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