Police search property in picturesque Warwickshire village for body of murdered businessman who disappeared in 2009 after being attacked by a gang of armed thugs over a £1 million drugs debt

  • Jesse Richards, 40, was killed in Evesham, Worcestershire, in July 2009
  • Detectives believe his body was taken to Warwickshire and disposed of
  • West Mercia Police said they were searching an address in Smorral Lane, Corley
Police are searching a property in a picturesque Warwickshire village for the body of a murdered businessman who disappeared in 2009.
Father-of-three Jesse Richards, 40, was killed in a 'merciless and sustained' attack in Evesham, Worcestershire, by a gang of armed thugs over a £1 million drugs debt.  
The 'passive family man' was said to have begged for his life before he was brutally assaulted with a range of weapons, including a pickaxe, and bundled into a van.
Five men were jailed over his death in 2012 for a total of 58 years at Birmingham Crown Court.
Detectives believe his body, which has never been found, was taken to Warwickshire and disposed of. Now, officers from West Mercia Police said they were searching an address in Smorral Lane, Corley, as part of the investigation into Mr Richards' death.
Aerial view of a property on Smorral Lane in Corley, Warwickshire, where police are conducting a search as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Jesse Richards
Aerial view of a property on Smorral Lane in Corley, Warwickshire, where police are conducting a search as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Jesse Richards
Police are searching a property as part of an investigation into the death of a father-of-three over a decade ago
Police are searching a property as part of an investigation into the death of a father-of-three over a decade ago
Detective Inspector Mark Peters said: 'Our officers remain at the scene.
'I would like to take this opportunity to again appeal to members of the public who may have information that could assist us in our search for Jesse.'
Father-of-three Jesse Richards, 40, was killed in a 'merciless and sustained' attack
Father-of-three Jesse Richards, 40, was killed in a 'merciless and sustained' attack
Farmland in the remote village was combed in 2018 but there has been no trace of his body so far despite a £10,000 reward being offered for any vital information.
A court heard previously how Mr Richards was heard by witnesses saying 'please no' before he was viciously attacked by a group 'acting like football hooligans'.
They beat Mr Richards, of Gloucester, with a variety of weapons until his body went limp before bundling his body into the back of a van.
His mother Lucy Richards spoke last year of the heartbreak at being unable to lay her son's body to rest on the 10 year anniversary of his death.
She said: 'Jesse would be 50 years old now and, although I know nothing will bring my son back to me, I appeal to the public and ask they put themselves in my shoes and please get in touch with police if you have any information at all.
Jesse Richards, 40, died in Evesham, Worcestershire, in July 2009, but his remains have never been found
Jesse Richards, 40, died in Evesham, Worcestershire, in July 2009, but his remains have never been found
Officers from West Mercia Police confirmed the address in Smorral Lane, Corley, Warwickshire, was being searched in connection with his death and a cordon remains at the scene
Officers from West Mercia Police confirmed the address in Smorral Lane, Corley, Warwickshire, was being searched in connection with his death and a cordon remains at the scene
Five men were jailed over his death in 2012. Farmland in the remote village was combed in 2018 but there has been no trace of his body so far despite a £10,000 reward being offered for any vital information
Five men were jailed over his death in 2012. Farmland in the remote village was combed in 2018 but there has been no trace of his body so far despite a £10,000 reward being offered for any vital information
'My son was taken from me in the most violent way and, ten years on, I have still not been able to lay his body to rest.
'I don't know where he is and the pain of not being able to visit his resting place is too much to bear.'
She also said at the time of his death: 'My life will never be the same, as you may expect and my sadness drives me to search for Jesse on a daily basis.
'I know most of these men have children and families and ask them to put themselves in my shoes and give Jesse back so I may say goodbye.
'I ask them to imagine if their daughter or son was to be taken how would they feel not to see, hug or kiss them again or say goodnight.
'I would get on my hands and knees and beg for Jesse back if it would make any difference.
Former boxing promoter Kevin Houston, 50, Matthew Taylor, 29, and James Doe, 38, all from Coventry, were all jailed for manslaughter
Former boxing promoter Kevin Houston, 50, Matthew Taylor, 29, and James Doe, 38, all from Coventry, were all jailed for manslaughter
Aerial view of a property on Smorral Lane in Corley, Warwickshire, where police are conducting a search as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Jesse Richards in 2009
Aerial view of a property on Smorral Lane in Corley, Warwickshire, where police are conducting a search as part of the ongoing investigation into the death of Jesse Richards in 2009
'Those that know me would say that I am a very proud lady but I would stand by my words to have my son back.'
Former boxing promoter Kevin Houston, 50, Matthew Taylor, 29, and James Doe, 38, all from Coventry, were all jailed for manslaughter.
David Butler, 26, from Slough, admitted obstructing a coroner while Joseph Doe, 37, of Essex, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender.
After the group were jailed, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Loader, who led the investigation, said: 'This was a brutal attack on an unarmed, passive, family man over a drugs debt.
'We are pleased these men have been convicted of this terrible crime but it is not a day for celebration.
'We still need to find Jesse's body and his family cannot have a funeral and lay him to rest until we do.'
Anyone with any information is urged to call 101 quoting incident 204-s-220620 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 11. 

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