Police have issued a renewed appeal for a Birmingham City fan who vanished over 20 years ago without a trace. The case of Andrew Dill remains one of West Midlands Police's longest-running missing person investigations, and the force has released a fresh appeal for information as the 23rd anniversary of his disappearance approaches.
The Disappearance
Andrew lived in a flat by a canal near Birmingham city centre. On April 28, 2003, his then-girlfriend dropped him off at Hednesford train station in Staffordshire as he headed home towards New Street station. The following day, he spoke with a friend over the phone. After that, Andrew was never heard from again.
He was 38 at the time and would be 61 today. In the days after his last known telephone conversation, relatives and friends tried calling him numerous times, but their calls were declined.
Investigation
The police investigation began in May 2003 when Andrew's father reported him missing. Officers searched his flat but found nothing unusual; the place looked as if he was due to return. The canal near his flat was also searched, but nothing was discovered. An appeal was even placed in a match programme between Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers later that year.
Officers from West Midlands Police's missing persons review team are asking people who knew Andrew in the early 2000s to think if they can remember anything about him that could help with enquiries. The team is specifically asking if anyone remembers finding a Sky Blue Nokia 3310 in the city centre between late April and early May of 2003.
Police Appeal
PC Rob Jones said: "Andrew, who would be 61 now, was not the kind of person to just drop off the radar like this. He had a lot of family and friends who he had been in regular contact with, so going missing in this way would have been out of character. We're hoping someone who knew Andrew back in the early 2000s might remember something about him and his life which could help us piece together what happened to him."
"We know he had a lot of friends and sometimes went by other names, including using the surname Dillon. If anyone remembers finding a Sky Blue Nokia 3310 with dark blue trim in the city centre in late April to early May 2003 we would be really keen to hear about this. We really want to find Andrew or find out what happened to him in late April and early May 2003 so his family can at last get the answers they deserve."
Anyone with any information, however insignificant, can call 0121 626 7003 to speak to the team directly.
