Police dig at property as multiple people arrested in murder probe
Detectives have identified 60-year-old Gary Piatek, whose disappearance led to the arrest of 11 people on suspicion of murder.
Leicestershire Police confirmed on Thursday that nine suspects detained on Tuesday remained in police custody.
As part of the ongoing investigation into Mr Piatek’s whereabouts, a detailed search operation using construction machinery and diggers is currently underway at a property in Leicester.
The statement noted: “Investigations determined that Mr. Piatek was last seen in April 2024. Since that date, no evidence has been found that he is alive.
“Specialist support is being provided to several close friends.”
As part of the investigation, a detailed search is being carried out at an address on Broad Avenue in Evington.
Mapped: Broad Avenue in Evington.
Police said there would be significant police activity at this address in the coming days and weeks, including specially trained search officers, construction machinery and crime scene investigation teams.
Detective Inspector Michael Chandler, Senior Investigating Officer from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “We are continuing to establish the full circumstances of what happened to Mr Piatek and as part of our ongoing investigations I would urge anyone with any information about him or what happened to him to contact us.
“I will take this opportunity to reiterate that this is not a Counter-Terrorism police operation and has no connection with Counter-Terrorism.”
Six men, aged 61, 43, 34, 33, 25 and 21, and two women, aged 34 and 29, who were arrested on suspicion of murder, continue to be detained.
The ninth person, a 50-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and remains in police custody.
While two people, aged 25 and 23, who were arrested on suspicion of murder, were released within the scope of the investigation, investigations continue.
The 23-year-old woman, who was arrested for the same crime, was released without any further action.
