People who know the truth about Alisha Apostoloff-Boyarin's disappearance are being urged to 'search their conscience' after her 'closest' relative died without answers. The young woman, from Tameside, was reported missing to police by her grandmother on February 2 last year.
Alisha, aged 24 when she disappeared, had been living with her grandmother in Ashton-under-Lyne and police believe they had a strong bond. Greater Manchester Police escalated its missing person's investigation into a murder probe last March, and Alisha's family made a public plea for information so they could 'lay her to rest'.
But tragically, police say Alisha's grandmother died without ever finding out what had happened to her beloved granddaughter. DCI Andrew Naismith, senior investigating officer, believes it is 'one of the saddest things' about Alisha's case and is urging anyone with vital information to help deliver justice for the rest of the family.
“The family have obviously gone through a traumatic year," said DCI Naismith. "It’s been turmoil for the family. We understand that all families are different, all families have different make-ups and people live with different people.
“Alisha’s grandmother has died not knowing what has happened to her granddaughter. I would ask that people search their conscience and contact the police, if they’ve got anything, the slightest bit of information.
“Clearly we want to bring some answers to her family. We may never recover Alisha, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t get some justice for Alisha, and justice for her family.”
Alisha was last seen on January 22 last year, travelling in a gold Volkswagen Passat through the Glossop and Chapel-en-le-Frith area of Derbyshire. Eight days earlier, Alisha was seen travelling the car to Bishop Auckland, in County Durham.
Police arrested a man, now aged 60, on suspicion of murder last March before releasing him pending further investigation. The man, originally from Ashton but now living in Bishop Auckland, was known to members of Alisha's family and had been messaging her last January before arranging to pick her up from Tameside.
Police believe Alisha has come to serious harm after being driven to Derbyshire on January 22, 2022, and have carried out extensive searches for her. While police haven't ruled out the possibility of another person causing harm to Alisha, GMP does not currently believe anyone else is involved.
In a statement issued through police last year, Alisha's family said: "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." Detectives are continuing to appeal for any information that could help with the investigation.
This could include sightings of the VW Passat in Derbyshire around January 22 last year, CCTV and dashcam footage, or social media interactions with Alisha from January 2022. Call 101 or use GMP’s Major Incident Portal to upload footage and information.
Alternatively, call GMPs Major Incident team on 0161 856 6777. Information can also be passed on to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
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