The Never Ending Murder tells the harrowing story of Nicola Payne’s disappearance in 1991.
The teen mum famously went missing aged just 18-years-old, sparking one of the larges ever investigations for the West Midlands Police.
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In the Amazon Prime documentary, the tragedy is explained through first hand accounts from Nicola’s family, friends and the detectives who worked on the case over the last 32 years.
The four-part series sees Nicola’s case described as one of the “greatest unsolved crimes” in the country.
The footage sees her family explaining how Nicola would have managed to find her way to a phone to update them if she could have done.
Clips of the in-depth searches as the neighbourhood all came together to look for Nicola also emerge in the documentary.
As the series appears on streaming sites and is thrust back into the public eye once again, Daily Star has looked into the 30 year search for the missing mother.
Going missing
The search for Nicola began in December 1991 after she went missing while walking to her parents’ house from the home she shared with her boyfriend.
Family and neighbours all gathered together to search for Nicola and despite an in-depth police investigation, the search remains ongoing over 30 years later.
Over 10 years later, in March 2003, the police say the case will remain open until they find out what happened to her.
Son’s plea
Nicola’s son put out a desperate plea in 2007 when he was just 16 years old.
He begged for more information as he said his “one wish” is to have his mother found and understand the “confusion, mystery and heartbreak of the past 16 years”.
He said: “Sadly I have no memories of her and I envy my older cousins who remember her well, and they tell me what a fun-loving girl she was.”
At the time, her father, John, said: “The family do not believe Nickie is still alive, but we will never give up hope that one day our daughter will be found and then we will have some kind of closer. Please help to give us peace of mind.”
Arrest
A man was arrested on suspicion of abducting and murdering Nicola in 2007, though no further charges were brought.
The police later dug up a garden as part of the inquiry, with officers using X-ray equipment on the site but no evidence was found.
Five years later, the police were given new information.
New arrests
In 2012, police received new information and launched a search of parkland.
Two men were then arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to prevent the lawful and decent burial of a body, but when nothing is found in the park the men were released without charge.
Months later, the police launched a fresh appeal to trace two men who were reported to be seen near where Nicola went missing at the time.
By December 2013, three more people were arrested in connection with Nicola’s disappearance and later in January 2015, two of those men were charged with Nicola’s abduction and murder.
The men charged were cleared of murdering Nicola by a jury at Birmingham Crown Court that same year.
Rewards and specialists
In December 2017 the reward for information increased by £20,000 and Nicola’s family started working with a private forensics team to search Coombe Country Park.
An anonymous donor also offered £100,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of Nicola’s body.
Again, West Midlands Police stated they had received new information as they worked with a specialist underwater search team.
Vigil
In February 2021 a vigil was held to mark 30 years of Nicola’s disappearance.
Her family made a fresh plea for information as her brother declared all he wants is for his parents to get Nicola back and lay her to rest.
Sadly, earlier this year, Nicola’s mother, Marilyn Payne, died.
A post confirming the news said: “The bravery she showed was extraordinary, and now her determination will continue through her family and many friends in order to finally bring Nicola home.”
Now Amazon Prime is releasing a documentary titled The Never Ending Murder, with hopes it will prompt fresh information.
The Never Ending Murder airs on Amazon Prime on May 17.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk