A fresh £20,000 reward has been announced for information leading to justice in the unsolved murder of 8-year-old Vishal Mehrotra, who was kidnapped from Upper Richmond Road in Putney, South London, on July 29, 1981. His remains were discovered in February 1982 in Alder Copse, a wooded area near the village of Rogate in West Sussex, approximately 50 miles from the abduction site.
Sister's emotional plea on 45th anniversary
Vishal's sister, Mamta Mehrotra, described the lasting impact of the loss in a statement marking 45 years since his disappearance. She said: "I was only a little girl when my brother Vishal disappeared, but the impact of losing him has stayed with me every day of my life. For many people, this case is something they may have seen in the news, a documentary, or a podcast. For us, Vishal was not a headline. He was a son, a brother, a child with his whole life ahead of him. He was loved, and he is still loved."
She added: "More than four decades have passed, yet we still do not know what happened to him. We still do not know who took him from us or why. The years have brought no answers, only countless questions. What happened in those missing hours and days? Was there something someone saw but never realised was important? Has someone carried a memory, a conversation, or a secret all these years without knowing it could help?"
Police investigation and technological reviews
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore, the senior investigating officer, confirmed that two comprehensive reviews have been conducted to explore new forensic opportunities and advancements in technology since 1981. He stated: "Unfortunately, there remains no evidence to show who was responsible for Vishal's tragic death. We are asking anyone with any information relating to Vishal's disappearance and murder to please get in touch with us – no matter how small or insignificant you think a piece of information might be, it could be key in helping us get justice for Vishal and provide the answers his family so desperately need and deserve."
Appeal from Crimestoppers
Annabelle Goodenough, Regional Manager for South Central East at Crimestoppers, said: "This is a heartbreaking case that has left Vishal's family without answers for far too long. As we mark 45 years since he went missing, we are urging anyone who may hold information, or who may not have spoken about what happened yet, to share what they know with Crimestoppers."
Anyone with information is urged to report it to Sussex Police online or via 101, quoting Operation Moor. Information can also be uploaded via the Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP). Alternatively, anonymous reports can be made to Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111. Only information given directly to Crimestoppers will be eligible for the £20,000 reward.
