Detectives desperate to convict the killer of Elle Edwards have outlined two key pieces of evidence they need help from the community with.
The popular 26-year-old beautician was shot in the head at the Lighthouse Pub, Wallasey Village, shortly before midnight on Christmas Eve when a gunman sprayed bullets into a crowded area. Elle was not the intended target, detectives believe, and four other men aged between 22 and 33 were also wounded in the incident.
Today Elle's dad, photographer Tim Edwards, sat quietly beside Detective Superintendent Sue Coombs at a Merseyside Police press conference. DS Coombs, the senior investigating officer in the case, read a statement on behalf of Elle's family describing her as "special" and "beautiful".
READ MORE: Every word of family's tribute to 'beautiful and bright' Elle Edwards
She said on behalf of Elle's dad: "She was only just getting started. Christmas and our family will never be the same again without her. She was the glue that held this big family together, from all of us.
"We will love and miss her forever. Our Elle May, the most beautiful and bright star out there, forever and always."
So far three people have been arrested in connection with her murder, including a 30-year-old man from Tranmere on suspicion of murder and attempted murder. He was today released under investigation but also recalled to prison for breaching the terms of his licence.
A 19-year-old woman from Rock Ferry, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, was today released on bail while a 31-year-old man from Tranmere, arrested for the same alleged offence, remains in custody for questioning.
The ECHO understands detectives are trawling through thousands of hours of CCTV footage, ballistics experts have been analysing evidence from the scene and the investigation team has had "important information" from the public. However, there are two vital lines of enquiry DS Coombs is particularly keen for help with.
She said: "Where we're currently up to is there's a big investigation team working on this literally round the clock. We have made loads of progress, we have spoken to a large number of witnesses, we have gone through a lot of CCTV and we are looking at a number of lines of enquiry. It's a very active and fast moving investigation.
"What I would particularly ask people about is if they have any information on this black Mercedes that's involved in this offence. It was in the Lighthouse Public House on the night of the shooting. Any information about where it's come from or where it's gone since is vital to us. Equally, there's ballistics work ongoing, any information on this weapon, its current whereabouts, or its ownership is exceptionally important to us, please contact us."
DS Coombs, who also helped lead the successful investigation into the murder of 12-year-old Ava White in November, 2021, praised Mr Edwards for appearing in public.
She said: "It was really important for us as an investigation team. I don't underestimate how hard that must have been for Elle's dad but he wants to make sure that people understand the consequences of what has happened here, and make sure that anybody who has got any information doesn't hesitate; they contact the police and help us put these people behind bars. S
"So it's really difficult for him but he did it for Elle, and I would ask that people respond to his bravery and contact us."
When asked about the public response so far, DS Coombs added: "We have had a lot of calls from the public with really important bits of information, I'm really pleased with what the communities have done to help us here. I would just ask that people continue to come forward with information, because even small snippets of information when put together with others can be vital to this sort of investigation."
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