Brighton: Crimewatch appeal over gay man’s death
Police investigating the death of a gay man in Brighton will make a renewed plea for information on BBC One’s Crimewatch programme tonight.
Mr Pisano is from South Africa and uses the nicknames “Ree” or “Ricky”. The two men were friends and spent time together in the period before Mr Polding died.
The body of Mr Polding was found at his home in St George’s Road, Brighton, on 16 July.
At first the death was treated as unexplained but following a post-mortem on Saturday 21 July a murder investigation was launched.
The post-mortem showed that Mr Polding suffered a number of injuries which led to his death.
Detective Chief Inspector Nick May is leading the investigation, known as Operation Journal, and told the BBC:
“We are still unclear as to when exactly Mr Polding died and our enquiries have shown that Mr Polding was friends with Mr Pisano. We think he may have information about Mr Polding’s last movements; however we have been unable to find him so far.
Police do not believe Mr Polding’s death was a random attack or linked to any hate crime as a result of his sexuality.
Detectives have offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Mr Polding’s friend.
Last week, a 28-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder was told by Sussex Police no further action would be taken against him.
Anyone with any information about Mr Polding’s death or the whereabouts of Ricardo Pisano should call Sussex Police on 101 quoting Operation Journal, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
