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Sister appeals over shot brother | Sister appeals over shot brother |
(1 day later) | |
The sister of a man shot dead in his Greater Manchester home five years ago says she believes "hundreds" of people may have information about his murder. | The sister of a man shot dead in his Greater Manchester home five years ago says she believes "hundreds" of people may have information about his murder. |
Andrew Boland, 35, was shot in the chest by two masked men as he stood in the hallway of the house in Stretford on 24 March 2004. | Andrew Boland, 35, was shot in the chest by two masked men as he stood in the hallway of the house in Stretford on 24 March 2004. |
No-one has been charged over the killing which was carried out in front of his partner's two children. | No-one has been charged over the killing which was carried out in front of his partner's two children. |
His sister Debbie Boland, 42, has renewed her appeal for information. | His sister Debbie Boland, 42, has renewed her appeal for information. |
"We don't know why they chose to take his life. My mum desperately needs closure," said Ms Boland. | "We don't know why they chose to take his life. My mum desperately needs closure," said Ms Boland. |
"We can't grieve as a family should do. We need closure on it so we can all move forward and grieve for my brother properly. | "We can't grieve as a family should do. We need closure on it so we can all move forward and grieve for my brother properly. |
The situation is significantly different now to when Andrew was killed Det Supt Tony Cook | The situation is significantly different now to when Andrew was killed Det Supt Tony Cook |
"I believe that there are hundreds of people out there who have got information... He was well liked by a lot of people. | "I believe that there are hundreds of people out there who have got information... He was well liked by a lot of people. |
"They perhaps didn't have the courage at the time to put pen to paper, they may have fallen out now with people they had links with five years ago." | "They perhaps didn't have the courage at the time to put pen to paper, they may have fallen out now with people they had links with five years ago." |
Since his murder, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have uncovered evidence of a major drug-dealing ring involving some of his associates. | Since his murder, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have uncovered evidence of a major drug-dealing ring involving some of his associates. |
James Maxwell, of Hale, and Mark Blackburn, of Flixton, have been jailed in the United States. Mr Boland returned from a trip there just days before he was killed. | James Maxwell, of Hale, and Mark Blackburn, of Flixton, have been jailed in the United States. Mr Boland returned from a trip there just days before he was killed. |
Andrew Boland had recently returned from America | Andrew Boland had recently returned from America |
But although they have followed a number of lines of inquiry, detectives have yet to find vital evidence linking anyone with his murder. | But although they have followed a number of lines of inquiry, detectives have yet to find vital evidence linking anyone with his murder. |
Det Supt Tony Cook, senior investigating officer, said: "Just because five years have passed it doesn't mean that we've closed this inquiry, or that we've forgotten who those people are who can help us. | Det Supt Tony Cook, senior investigating officer, said: "Just because five years have passed it doesn't mean that we've closed this inquiry, or that we've forgotten who those people are who can help us. |
"We are relying on the courage of people who have previously been too selfish or scared to come forward. | "We are relying on the courage of people who have previously been too selfish or scared to come forward. |
"The situation is significantly different now to when Andrew was killed. | "The situation is significantly different now to when Andrew was killed. |
"There are people in prison now who weren't then, and people's relationships may have changed." | "There are people in prison now who weren't then, and people's relationships may have changed." |
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