THE SEARCH for Nicola Payne continues, as officers investigating her disappearance carry out lake searches.
Specialist officers yesterday (April 23) carried out shallow water searches of an area of water within Coombe Abbey Country Park.
The search follows information preliminary sonar examinations of the lake carried out by Home Office scientists earlier this year.
Two Coventry men charged with Nicola’s murder denied the charges, entering not guilty pleas at Birmingham Crown Court.
Nigel Barwell, 50, of Copperas Street, and Thomas O’Reilly, 50, of Ribble Road, were first arrested in December 2013 over the 18-year-old mother-of-one’s disappearance on December 14, 1991.
The pair were remanded in custody yesterday and will face trial in October.
Detective Inspector Martin Slevin, who is leading the investigation into Nicola’s disappearance said: “The investigation into what happened to Nicola remains on-going and officers will continue to follow-up any information which will help us find Nicola and bring closure to her family.”
Searches in the Coombe Abbey area will resume once further analysis of the site has taken place.
Anyone with information which may assist the inquiry is urged contact the investigation team on 101, or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 11.
