Dive teams searching for the missing brother of an Olympian, who disappeared in the early hours of last Friday, have discovered a body in the River Frome. Luis Piovesana, 26, was last seen around 3 am on Friday in Bristol, sparking a large-scale search operation involving more than 100 officers from Avon and Somerset Police. On Monday evening, police confirmed that a body had been found by dive teams scouring the river in Eastville.
While formal identification has yet to take place, Luis’ family—including his sister, Lubjana Piovesana, who previously competed for Team GB before switching to represent Austria—have been informed and are receiving support from officers, according to the Mirror.
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said: “At around 6 pm today (Monday 3 March), a dive team was searching the River Frome in the Napier Road area of Eastville, Bristol, when they located a body, reported Metro.co.uk.
“While formal identification has not yet taken place, detectives have met with Luis’ family and updated them. Our thoughts remain with them during this incredibly difficult time and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.”
Mr. Piovesana was last seen at Eastgate Retail Park around 3 am on Friday, having arrived there by taxi from a venue on Little Ann Street, St Jude’s, which is about a 10-minute drive away. Over the weekend, his family conducted their own search efforts, urging the public to check their gardens and sheds for any sign of him.
Mounted police, drone units, and dive teams were deployed as part of the investigation. Divers had been searching the River Frome near the M32 before making Monday’s tragic discovery.
Lubjana Piovesana, who last year defeated Team GB’s Lucy Renshall in the women’s 63kg judo event in Paris, shared the heartbreaking news on social media.
“In a post on social media, Luis Piovesana’s sister, Lubjana wrote: “Hello everyone, Luis has been found. We are completely devastated but he has passed away. I am grateful for everyone’s support, and I am so sorry this has happened. Luis was my little brother and loved by everyone. I wish he could have seen the love from everyone. He will be remembered by us all.”
The discovery has brought a tragic end to the extensive search efforts, leaving family, friends, and the community mourning the loss of a beloved young man.
