Two Men Charged With Disappearance Of Coventry Woman 23 Years Ago

27 January 2015, 15:28 | Updated: 27 January 2015, 15:33

West Midlands police have told Heart they've charged two people with the murder of a Coventry mum who went missing 23 years ago.

Nicola Payne disappeared aged 19 and she had a son who was then just seven months old.

Nigel Barwell, aged 51 from Copperas Street, Coventry and Thomas O'Reilly, aged 50 from Ribble Road, Coventry, were charged today (Tuesday 27 January)

They are due before Birmingham Magistrates Court tomorrow (Wednesday 28 January).

They were originally arrested last December in connection with Nicola's disappearance on December 14th,1991 and had been on conditional bail until today's charges were brought.

DI Martin Slevin who is leading the investigations said: "Today's charges follow months of extensive enquiries by a team of dedicated officers who are investigating the disappearance of Nicola.

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

"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 that there are still people out there with vital information yet to come forward.

"We will always assess and act on any new information."

In a statement police also said Nicola had gone missing after walking from her boyfriend's address to her parents' house 23 years ago.

Their investigation had remained ongoing and was re-opened in 2012 following new information which came to light and forensic testing on a number of items.