Murder Charges Over Missing Nicola Payne

Police investigating the disappearance of Coventry mother Nicola Payne, 23 years ago, have charged two people with her murder.

Nigel Barwell, 51, from Copperas Street in the city, and Thomas O'Reilly, 50, from Ribble Road were originally arrested last December.

They were released on conditional bail, but after a consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service have now been charged with abduction and murder.

Nicola Payne was 19 years old when she disappeared walking from her boyfriend's home to her parents on 14 December 1991.

At the time she had a seven-month-old son. Nicola's family have been told about the latest developments.

DI Martin Slevin who is leading the investigation said the charges follow months of extensive enquiries.

"I want to reassure Nicola's family and the local community that the search for Nicola will continue," he said.

"Over the past year a number of sites have been searched and these investigations will carry on.

"I would like to thank the local community for their support and those people who have come forward to provide information about Nicola's disappearance.

"I believe there are still people out there with vital information yet to come forward and I appeal directly to them to contact us on 101 or confidentially Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."

Officers revealed "a breakthrough" in the investigation last year saying that they were sending a number of items for forensic testing.

A 52-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice has been released without charge.

The two men who have been charged with Nicola's abduction and murder will appear before Birmingham Magistrates on Wednesday.