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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Joe Thomas

Hunt for Audi sightings as sixth man arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder

Detectives investigating the death of a man whose body was found on land off the M58 have issued a new appeal for details.

Police want to speak to witnesses who may have seen a blue Audi between the site of a suspected kidnapping and the location where the body of Christopher Hughes was found four days later.

The campaign for information comes after a sixth man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

READ MORE: Merseyrail driver who was on Whatsapp moments before Kirkby crash walks free

Mr Hughes’ body was found on White Moss Road South on the outskirts of Skelmersdale at around 11am on Tuesday, February 22.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had launched a missing persons investigation for the 37-year-old following reports a man, now thought to have been Mr Hughes, was seen being forced into the back of a vehicle just after 4.30pm on Friday, February 18.

That incident was reported on Almond Grove, in the Worsley Hall area of Wigan.

GMP is now calling on anyone who saw an Audi travelling between the two locations to come forward.

Detective Chief Inspector Carl Jones, of GMP's Major Incident Team, said: "Our thoughts remain with Christopher's loved ones, including his three-year-old daughter.

“Since he was found dead, we have been working around the clock to find them all of the answers they deserve but we need to appeal to the public for help.

"Did you see a blue Audi A4 (BV21 WZL) travelling from Almond Grove in Wigan to White Moss Road South in Skelmersdale between 4.30pm and 5.20pm on Friday, February 18, 2022?

"Have you got dashcam footage from those roads or any in between, particularly the roundabouts at junctions three and four of the M58 or the bridge over it which goes between White Moss Road and White Moss Road South.

"Did you see the car or anything suspicious on or around White Moss Road South between that evening and Tuesday 22nd? Maybe you were taking a short-cut, walking your dog, running or cycling.

"If you know something which may assist us with our investigation please contact us immediately.

"If you want to remain anonymous, you can contact the independent charity - Crimestoppers."

Since his death, his family have paid tribute to Mr Hughes, his mum Susan saying: “He will leave a part in the family that can never be filled.”

A post mortem concluded he died as a result of multiple serious injuries.

Five men, all from Wigan or Skelmersdale, have been charged with conspiracy to murder Mr Hughes.

A sixth man, aged 46, was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder on Tuesday.

A map of key locations as GMP appeal for details in connection with the investigation into the death of Christopher Hughes. (Liverpool ECHO)

Anyone with information can contact GMP’s Operation Feverfew on 0161 856 3400 or online here.

Crimestoppers can be contacted, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

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