The family of a missing woman believed by police to have been murdered have released a series of new photographs of her as a cross-county investigation continues. Alisha Apostoloff-Boyarin, 24, was last seen in Ashton-under-Lyne, Tameside, in January and was reported missing in February.
Greater Manchester Police has said evidence has led detectives to believe Alisha has come to 'serious harm', with the force's missing person investigation recently turning into a murder probe. The family album snaps were issued as officers issues a fresh appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
And the force has issued a description of clothing she might have been waring. In an update on the case released on Wednesday, GMP said Alisha regularly wore a long Parka-style jacket with a hood, which she may have had on when she went missing. Two arrests have been made.
The development follows Alisha's family issuing a statement through police in which they said they want her home so they can 'lay her to rest'. In it they said: "Alisha has not been seen for several weeks.
"She has made no contact with any of her family, which is unheard of. Alisha lived with her great-grandad, who she adored, and would never be away from home for this long. We know in our hearts that someone has prevented Alisha from coming home to us and that she is no longer alive. Alisha's world revolved around her family. She was a shy girl and did not socialise very much.
"She was only comfortable when she was at home. Not knowing where Alisha is, or what has happened to her, is torment and we cannot begin to describe the pain and anguish we feel at the moment. We just want Alisha home so we can lay her to rest and have some closure. We ask that anyone who has information as to where Alisha may be, or who is responsible for what has happened to her, to please contact the police."
Police said the investigation has resulted in detectives from GMPs Major Incident Team following up a number of lines of enquiry in different parts of the country, including in Greater Manchester, County Durham and Derbyshire.
"Unfortunately, evidence has lead detectives to believe that Alisha has come to serious harm and two arrests have been made," said a spokesman.
A 50-year-old man from Willington, County Durham, was arrested on suspicion of her murder earlier this month. Police then arrested a second man - a 50-year-old from Ashton-under-Lyne - last week on suspicion of assisting an offender. Both have been released on bail pending further investigations.
It's believed Alisha travelled from Ashton to County Durham and back in January. In the new statement, GMP said: "Officers are urging people both in the Manchester and Durham areas to think if they could have seen Alisha since January, or anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage showing Alisha. She regularly wears a long Parka style jacket with a hood and may have been wearing this when she went missing."
Det Chief Supt Danny Inglis, of GMPs Major Incident Team, said: "GMP's main aim is to find Alisha and bring whoever is responsible for her disappearance to justice, and we need your help in doing this. Alisha is believed to have travelled from Ashton to County Durham and back again in January, so we have quite a large area to cover where Alisha may have been spotted by members of the public.
"I'd like to take this opportunity today to urge people, both in the Manchester and Durham areas, to think if they could have seen Alisha since January - or anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage showing Alisha.
Call GMPs Major Incident Team on 0161 856 6777 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
