Crimestoppers is offering £200,000 for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool – as police revealed they have identified the two weapons carried by the gunman and appealed for help to find where they are stashed.
Investigators identified two firearms used in the shooting: a.38 revolver which killed Olivia and a Glock 9mm pistol used in three separate attacks on Merseyside in two-and-a half years.
Merseyside Detective Superintendent Mark Kameen stated that the weapons were likely to be hidden near Olivia’s death – Knottyash – and that he believed that people in Liverpool knew who and where they had been stored.
He explained that the gunman did not want to be found with these guns as it might link him back and cause Olivia’s murder. He is toxic to the community.
“Nobody would want this man near them, or anywhere they live. He is not someone you want to associate with. While some people might tolerate him out of fear, others would rather see him in prison.
“With your support, we can achieve this”
The £200,000 reward – including £100,000 from a new mystery donor and £100,000 from Crimestoppers founder Lord Ashcroft – is the biggest single reward offer in the charity’s history a police battle to identify the gunman who killed the primary schoolgirl and shot her mother a month ago.
Olivia was killed in the home she shared with Joseph Nee, a convicted burglar. Her medical cause of death, according to post-mortem results was a gunshot wound in the chest. Nee is still in hospital.
The attack led to police arresting nine suspects, though no charges have been filed against anyone. However, detectives say that Olivia’s murder was not the fault of any one. This is because they believe any person withholding information about the case, despite a strict code of silence in Liverpool, may be ‘protecting killers’.
Crimestoppers is offering a record £200,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the murder of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel in Liverpool
Olivia Pratt–Korbel (nine years old) was killed when a gunman broke into her Liverpool home to chase 35-year-old Joseph Nee
The killer was caught on CCTV. As police try to locate the gun he was carrying, they are certain he is being guarded.
After Olivia is buried, her coffin will be taken out by Cheryl Korbel.
Cheryl Korbel was Olivia’s mother and is pictured holding her pink teddy. It will be a lasting memory.
Investigators identified two firearms used in the shooting: a.38 revolver which killed Olivia and a Glock 9mm pistol used in three separate attacks on Merseyside in the past two-and-a half years.
First recorded usage was made in Wimbourne close, Dovecot on January 27, 2020 by a 19-year old man.
In a chilling echo from the fatal shooting that Olivia suffered, one of the bullets struck the front door of the house where Olivia lived.
It was August 8, 2022. This date came two weeks prior to the girl’s death and only a short drive from her family.
One group was in a car while the other was on motorbikes. They fired shots near Dovecot playing fields, Finch Way.
Merseyside Detective Chief Inspector Mark Kameen stated that the incident occurred during summer, in an area were innocent people might have enjoyed the park.
“Once more, just like the first use of this weapon in our communities, it is clear that its holder has no regard for their safety or care or thought about anyone else.
“Once more, they don’t deserve any one’s loyalty.”
DCS Kameen asked for patience while the force investigates Olivia’s murder. We have so far had nine arrests, however all of them have been released as part of the investigation.
On Wednesday, he spoke at a press conference and stated: “I know that people will ask why no-one has been charged despite the arrests.
“I can assure you, this is a common practice in complex investigations. The threshold to arrest someone is much lower than the one for charging them. We appreciate your patience. Our investigation continues.
“The Olivia family’s detectives are working relentlessly to secure the charges against those involved in Olivia’s murder. No matter what their part in the crime.
Investigators have spent more than 15,000 working hours and trawled thousands of hours through CCTV to find more intelligence. They also investigated nearly 400 pieces of information that were passed along by the general public.
Cheryl Korbel (46), Olivia’s mother, addressed a crowd of mourners last week at St Mary Margaret’s Church in Knotty Ash. This was just a few miles from the scene where nine-year old Olivia was killed in her home three weeks ago.
Many hundreds of people filled the streets with a “splash” of pink at Olivia’s family’s request as the little boy’s coffin was transported to the church in a horse-drawn carriage.
Olivia was struck in the chest after a gunman drove past a criminal burglar and drug dealer. He burst into Olivia’s home firing randomly.
While Mrs Korbel desperately attempted to lock her front door shut, the bullet struck her little girl who stood behind. Although the youngster was taken to the hospital, he could not be saved. Both the target and gunman had no family connections to Olivia.
The congregation was greeted by Mrs Korbel, who wore a black jacket and a pink ribbon. She explained that Olivia, also known as Liv to her family and friends, was born six weeks earlier than expected and had spent nine days in special infant units.
Mrs Korbel explained, “She was so little yet as a newborn, she had her very own mind.”
Olivia was described as having a ‘cheeky smile,’ which she said was a sign of her love for animals. She also loved to dance and sing.
“Olivia, a mother of three said that she was extremely chatty and bright and could talk about England. To the point where we believed she had Duracell battery batteries within her.
“She would have been a wonderful lawyer because she knew everything.” The eulogy was concluded by Mrs Korbel, who said that Liv touched many hearts and was loved by all.
“She will not be forgotten.”
Police officers and forensics officers arrived at Kingsheath Avenue in Knotty Ash to assist Olivia Pratt Korbel (9 years old) who was tragically shot.
The beautifully-decorated coffin arrives at the church is a horse-drawn carriage as a large congregation of mourners waits outside
“I will never leave you but will always be there for you. Goodnight, I love you and will see you again in the morning.”
The parish priest Father Roy Cooper read a eulogy written by Olivia’s father John Francis Pratt.
He described Olivia as “our little diva”, and said that Olivia was caring, kind and helpful.
Chloe Olivia’s sister also read during the one-hour service.
Olivia’s white coffin was decorated with butterfly-shaped flowers and was covered with lilies. The carriage was decorated with floral tributes in Unicorn- and Teddy Bear-shaped flowers.
Rebecca Wilkinson (Olivia’s headteacher at St Margaret Mary’s Catholic Junior School), was present for the funeral.
Students decorated school rails with pink ribbons. Olivia’s name was written in pink hearts.
In her memory, her classmates painted her nails pink and instead of taking lessons, they watched Matilda.
Malcolm McMahon, Archbishop Malcolm McMahon stated that Olivia was a gift to her family as well as all those who know her.
According to him, he believed that Olivia’s death would lead to peace in Liverpool and bring justice. As Olivia’s coffin was being taken out of church, Amazing Grace was performed.
As the cortege left to go private, her family hugged each other and shed tears.
- Crimestoppers is available anonymously via the website and on 0800555111.