Police Excavate Midlands Garden in Ongoing Murder Investigation
Midlands Garden Dug Up in Murder Probe, Eight Charged

Police Excavate Midlands Garden in Ongoing Murder Investigation

Leicestershire Police have been using jackhammers to dig up the backyard of a property in the Midlands as part of a continuing murder probe. The investigation centers on the disappearance of 60-year-old Gary Piatek, who was last seen alive on April 18, 2024, when he visited a pub, according to Leicester Magistrates' Court.

Search Operations and Community Impact

Police have been conducting searches at a property on Broad Avenue in Evington, Leicester, since Tuesday, February 10. Residents in the area have reported loud noises from drilling and a generator used by the authorities, with one neighbor noting that the generator was left running until 11:20 pm, causing disturbance to those living nearby.

The property in question was inherited by Mr. Piatek from his parents, and there is currently no indication of when the investigation will be completed, as reported by LeicestershireLive.

Charges and Court Proceedings

Eight people have been charged in connection with the investigation, including two individuals from Birmingham. Yosif Ibrahim, 43, of Broad Avenue, Leicester, and Omed Firuzman, 25, of Ashley Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Monday, February 17, charged with Mr. Piatek's murder. A trial date has been set for October 12 and could last up to eight weeks.

The other defendants face various charges:

  • Diar Muhammedy, 34, of Falmouth Road, Leicester, and Mabast Khalid, 21, of Manway Close, Birmingham, are charged with assisting an offender between April 17 and 25, 2024.
  • Dilan Rabati, 34, and Ahmed Nabla, 34, both of Broad Avenue, Leicester, are accused of acquiring, using, or having possession of criminal property, specifically a house in Broad Avenue belonging to Mr. Piatek, between June 1, 2024, and February 10, 2026.
  • Dalya Rabati, 29, of Frazer Nash Close, Isleworth, London, faces similar charges related to the property and money belonging to Mr. Piatek, as well as fraud for allegedly creating a false tenancy agreement on January 29, 2025.
  • Nazem Kakamando, 50, of Gordon Road, Birmingham, is charged with acquiring, using, or having possession of criminal property, involving over £140,000 in cash on February 10, 2026, and fraud for allegedly making a false tenancy agreement on January 29, 2025.

The case continues to unfold as police work to uncover more details in this complex investigation.