Merseyside Police are offering a reward of £20,000 for any information regarding the murder of Carl Russell, which happened five years ago today.
Mr Russell, 27, was fatally shot in broad daylight as he and his girlfriend were getting out of their car on Cornwood Close, Belle Vale, at around 11.30am on Sunday 7 October 2018.
Since the incident, three people have been arrested in connection with the murder, but no one has ever been charged.
Police said they are still keen to speak to a male who was caught on CCTV wearing a high-vis jacket and riding a pedal bike in the area at the time of the shooting
They are also trying to trace the driver of a white 53 plate Nissan Primestar van, which was on the estate at the time, and a taxi driver who may have overheard a conversation, that same day, about a van being involved in Mr Russell’s murder.
Mr Russell’s family, including his mum, sister and two brothers, have released tributes in the hopes that – along with the monetary reward – it will make for a strong incentive for anyone with information that leads to the arrest, charge and conviction for the murder, to come forward.
“My whole world fell apart when I received the call that my son, Carl, had been murdered,” his mother, Marie, said.
“It’s been five years, but it just feels like yesterday. It doesn’t get any easier. I feel it gets harder. I have an emptiness inside me due to Carl’s death that will haunt me every day for the rest of my life.
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“I look at Carl’s brothers and sister and I can see the impact it has on them. No parent should have to bury their child. The trauma of losing Carl has left us all with PTSD.”
His sister, Rebecca, added that having some justice for her brother would “help heal some of the hurt knowing his murderer has paid the price of taking my brother’s life”.
While his older brother, Chris, said only a handful of people knew his brother would be visiting his parents’ home that Sunday.
“We’ve never got the answers to fill in the blanks to the questions we ask ourselves every day,” he said.
Detective Chief Inspector Pye added: “I want to reassure Carl’s family that Merseyside Police will not give up until those responsible are put before the courts.
“If anyone has any information to help the ongoing investigation, I urge them to please come forward as a matter of urgency.”