A Lithuanian man from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive say police following potential sightings in the town and King’s Lynn.

Wisbech Standard: Detectives investigating the disappearance of a Lithuanian man from Wisbech four years ago have received information suggesting he may be alive. New pictures of Ricardas Puisys. Picture: CAMBS POLICEDetectives investigating the disappearance of a Lithuanian man from Wisbech four years ago have received information suggesting he may be alive. New pictures of Ricardas Puisys. Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

Two weeks ago (Wednesday November 27), detectives investigating the disappearance of Ricardas Puisys re-launched an appeal to find him.

Mr Puisys, who was 35 at the time he went missing, was last seen at his workplace Nightlayer Leek Company in Dean Drove, Iretons Way, on 26 September 2015.

One man was arrested on suspicion of murder but released shortly after.

Wisbech Standard: Detectives investigating the disappearance of a Lithuanian man from Wisbech four years ago have received information suggesting he may be alive. New pictures of Ricardas Puisys. Picture: CAMBS POLICEDetectives investigating the disappearance of a Lithuanian man from Wisbech four years ago have received information suggesting he may be alive. New pictures of Ricardas Puisys. Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

Despite multiple public appeals to find him, police have been unable to trace him and believe he may have been murdered.

But in August 2018 police were alerted to a new Facebook profile for Ricardas with two photos.

Detectives believe that the page is being accessed and managed from somewhere in Wisbech - but are yet to pinpoint an exact location.

Wisbech Standard: Original missing person photo of Ricardas Puisys from 2015. Detectives have received information suggesting he may be alive. Picture: CAMBS POLICEOriginal missing person photo of Ricardas Puisys from 2015. Detectives have received information suggesting he may be alive. Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

Only a few messages have been exchanged between the account and family members.

But cousins of Ricardas, who live in Ireland, suspect it really is him after exchanging personal details of when they last met.

Detective Chief Inspector Adam Gallop, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "Since my most recent appeal, several members of the public have come forward with information about potential sightings of Ricardas in the Wisbech and Kings Lynn areas.

Wisbech Standard: DCI Adam Gallop believes that Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CLARE BUTLERDCI Adam Gallop believes that Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CLARE BUTLER (Image: Archant)

"My team are following up all leads in a bid to locate Ricardas, if he is in fact alive. However I am still asking for people to come forward if they have any information whatsoever about where Ricardas may be.

"It is still a murder investigation but the images do make it impossible to be certain whether he is dead or alive.

"Family and friends looked at the pictures on the account and said 'we think it is him'.

Wisbech Standard: Vulnerable Lithuanian man Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CAMBS POLICEVulnerable Lithuanian man Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

"I am convinced that people living in the Wisbech area know what happened to him.

"There is a possibility that he is being exploited that is why we will be putting up posters around Wisbech appealing for help.

"We are concerned that some of the Lithuanian community in Wisbech have distrust of the police.

Wisbech Standard: DCI Adam Gallop believes that Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CLARE BUTLERDCI Adam Gallop believes that Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CLARE BUTLER (Image: Archant)

"But we urge Ricardas or anyone else with information to come and speak to us - no one is in trouble."

Detectives have attempted to make contact with the person behind the account, but are yet to establish whether Ricardas is alive.

It is not known if the pictures used are recent ones of Ricardas or taken some years ago.

Wisbech Standard: Vulnerable Lithuanian man Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CAMBS POLICEVulnerable Lithuanian man Ricardas Puisys from Wisbech - believed to have been murdered four years ago - could still be alive and being exploited. Picture: CAMBS POLICE (Image: Archant)

It is not thought that he is back in Lithuania - but more than likely still in the Wisbech area.

DCI Gallop said: "It has been very limited contact via the Facebook account with messages often coming through late at night.

"In the messages it has been indicated that there is a reason why he doesn't want to get in touch with police.

"Family and friends are frustrated and mystified as to why he won't come forward - but if there is someone else behind this then it is a very sick joke."

Ricardas has a mother in Lithuania, sister in Germany and cousins in Ireland.

He lived at a variety of multi-occupancy addresses in Wisbech and was a casual land worker in the area local.

He had no vehicle, few friends and was described as being "a loner and vulnerable", after living in Wisbech for several years.

After his disappearance there were suggestions that he had been assaulted.

His identity card was found in a park in Wisbech, known as 'Doggy Park' in November 2015.

Police executed search warrants at five properties and completed forensic searches.

CCTV and vehicles were examined but nothing more revealed.

Police were also noted of a sighting in Great Yarmouth and a connection to his hometown of Silute in Lithuania.

Members of the public, specifically the Lithuanian community in Wisbech, are being urged to contact police if they have any information whatsoever about Ricardas' whereabouts, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

DCI Gallop said: "Whether Ricardas is alive or not, someone knows what has happened to him. Please do the right thing and come forward."

Anyone with information can submit it online at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/35SA020115C09-PO1 (English) or https://mipp.police.uk/operation/35SA020115C09-PO2 (Lithuanian).

If you would prefer to speak to someone directly please call 101 and quote Operation Laysan, or dial 01480 425883 but note this number is not monitored 24 hours a day, however you will be able to leave a voice message and a member of the enquiry team will call you back.

Alternatively you can call the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111 or go online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.