Operation Panatella – Anniversary Appeal

Operation Panatella is the North Wales Police investigation into the suspicious death of Liam James HILL (44 years old), who lived at Flat 11, 70 West Parade, Rhyl. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Between 3pm & 6.50pm on Wednesday 6th January 2016, Liam went to Corbett’s Bookmakers on Bodfor Street, Rhyl to bet on horse racing. He then walked from Bodfor Street, across Wellington Road and down Water Street where he was later seen drinking lager at Bar Bow pub and is described as appearing drunk. A person matching Liam’s description is seen walking from Bar Bow on Water Street in the direction of West Parade then along West Parade in the direction of River Street to his home address on West Parade. Liam was seen by neighbours at 7pm at the foot of the communal stairs in 70 West Parade, and still appeared drunk. He was helped to his feet and assisted up the stairs to his flat. At the time Liam was wearing a dark blue waterproof type of jacket, which finished just below the waist. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

This was the same evening that Everton FC played Manchester City FC in the League Cup semi-final first leg. The kick off time was 8pm at Goodison Park. The match finished 2 – 1 to Everton. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Shortly after 1.45pm on Friday 8th January 2016, Liam was found deceased in his flat by his mother. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Speaking on behalf of the family, Liam Hill’s sisters Colette and Joyce said “Although a year has passed we all still miss Liam terribly. On behalf of us all we’re asking anyone with any information whatsoever, no matter how insignificant they think it is, to come forward, tell the Police and help us seek justice for Liam.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Deputy Senior Investigating Officer DI Arwyn Jones said “A year has passed and we still believe this inquiry is localised but we still need that vital piece of information that will progress our investigation. We are particularly interested in hearing from anyone who has any information in relation to Liam’s walk home from the Bar Bow pub on 6th January. Police Family Liaison Officers are still deployed to Mr Hill’s family and keeping them abreast of the investigation and on the families behalf we’d implore anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​