A pregnant woman held her father moments before his death after he was shot seven times outside a family home. Nicky Ayers, 46, was gunned down at close range in Derby in April 2010.
The amateur football coach's death devastated his family after he was shot on South Cantril Avenue outside his mother-in-law's home after having dinner and before planning to meet a friend near Meadow Lane, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The father returned to the property from a local chip shop and was confronted by a killer who fired multiple shots. His eldest daughter, who was pregnant at the time, saw him bleeding on the ground and ran out to comfort him as he lay dying from the gunshots.
Lyndsay Ayers, who was 26 at the time of her dad's death, was awoken by the sound of the shots before running to her father's aid. Seventeen people were arrested in connection with the murder but nobody was charged with his murder.
Kevin Clague, head of Merseyside Police's Serious Crime Review Unit, told the ECHO: "This year marks thirteen years since the shocking murder of 46-year-old Nicky Ayers and we remain committed to finding those responsible for his death on Thursday, April 29, 2010.
"His death devastated his whole family and we stand firm in our determination to get answers for them. The years that have now passed since this tragic murder may have given people who hold valuable information the courage to come forward.
"They may find themselves in different areas or circumstances in their lives. If that is you, please contact police directly or anonymously through Crimestoppers and we will take action."
The Echo claim Mr Ayers murder came after a "respect issue" with the brother of a feared crime boss. It was also reported that a gangland rival was searching for the father in the months leading up to his death. Mr Ayers was previously jailed for his role in a drug plot in Jersey.
Two incidents were also reported when shots were fired near a football pitch before a man armed with a samurai sword also reportedly went looking for the dad as part of an attack before a Western Approaches Sunday league game.
Detectives previously put out a £25,000 reward for information and showed CCTV footage of a silver car driving erratically on Princess Drive and Snowberry Road near the scene of his death. The vehicle was not traced.
Daughter Lyndsay said in the weeks following her father's death: "Even though it’s only five months on, it feels like a nightmare that you don’t wake up from. Everything’s changed in a second. It’s like the rug’s been pulled from under our feet. It won’t be the same again."
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