Brighton: Police launch special website into gay man’s murder
A website to assist Sussex Police in tracing a suspect being sought over the unsolved murder of a Brighton gay man has been set up by the force.
The body of Michael Polding, 63, was found at his home in St George’s Road, Brighton, on 16 July.
Mr Polding was an openly gay man who moved down to Brighton from Croydon because he believed he would encounter less prejudice in the city.
In September, police offered a £5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of his friend, Ricardo Pisano, also known as Brandon Victor Pillay.
The Sussex Police website has been set up to collate information on the murder and to allow people to give information as to the whereabouts of Mr Ricardo Pisano.
The website shows pictures of the suspect, also known as Ricky and Ree.
Police believe he was the last person to see Mr Polding alive.
The post-mortem showed that Mr Polding suffered a number of injuries which led to his death.
He was open about his sexuality but detectives say his death is not linked to any hate crime as a result of his sexuality and that any assault he may have suffered was not as a result of a random attack.
Det Ch Insp Nick May, who is leading the investigation into his death, said: “It has been nearly five months since Michael’s body was found in his flat in St George’s Road but our investigation into his death continues.
“We are determined to get justice for Michael and his family and this case will remain open until we do so.”
Anyone who has any information is asked to contact Sussex Police.
