‘We will forever be haunted by this senseless act’: Family of father-of-two who was killed in ‘savage’ shooting and acid attack at his home plead for more information
- The body of Liam Smith was found in his driveway in Wigan on November 24
- Michael Hillier, 38, was charged with her murder at Tameside Magistrates’ Court
The family of a man who was shot and killed by an acid attack have made a ‘heartfelt appeal’ for information about his ‘savage murder’.
Liam Smith was found at the bottom of his driveway on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan at around 7pm on Thursday November 24. He was fatally shot and acid was poured over his body.
Michael Hillier, 38, of Ecclesall Road in Sheffield, appeared at Tameside Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday charged with his murder.
Greater Manchester Police continued to press for information about the incident and released images of a Mitsubishi Shogun Elegance car seen near Mr Smith’s home before he died.
Liam Smith (pictured) was found at the bottom of his driveway on Kilburn Drive in Shevington, Wigan at around 7pm on Thursday November 24
Footage has been released by police of a Mitsubishi Shogun Elegance car seen near Mr Smith’s home before he died
Mr Smith’s father Phil said: “Liam’s savage murder at his home sent complete shockwaves of grief and despair through all who knew and loved him.”
“Two young boys will now have to spend the rest of their lives without their beloved father, and the rest of our family will forever be haunted by this senseless act.”
Mr Smith senior said he had “absolutely no idea” why his son was killed.
He said: ‘So we are sending a heartfelt appeal to anyone with any information on this, please contact the police.’
“It can be done anonymously.
“Anyone hiding information about what happened clearly has not witnessed the devastation such a heinous crime has on a family as it has on mine.”
Chief Detective Inspector Gina Brennand said the Mitsubishi car had clear linear damage on the rear side near behind the rear wheel arch and a missing lens on the front offside fog light.
Detective Chief Inspector Gina Brennand said the Mitsubishi car, known to have at least two different license plates, was seen near Mr Smith’s home on November 2 and November 24 for 10 a.m.
She said the car, which used fake registration numbers EJ57UPE and R22 ORA, had clear linear damage on the rear side near behind the rear wheel arch and a missing lens on the front offside fog lamp.
She said: ‘We need information on the whereabouts of this vehicle, which has still not been found.
“Who it was bought from and if it has been sold recently and also if it has been in a garage for repairs or recently scrapped.
“This may contain the missing information we need to find answers for Liam’s family.”
Hillier appeared at Tameside Magistrates’ Court today and has been remanded to appear at Manchester Crown Court tomorrow.
