Police have received fifteen “potential new sightings” of a man wanted in connection to a murder investigation since he was placed on a world-wide most wanted list last month. 

Shane O’Brien, from Ladbroke Grove, was put on Interpol’s Most Wanted list in May as the chief suspect in a case in which Josh Hanson from Kingsbury was killed at the RE Bar in Eastcote in October 2015. 

Since O’Brien’s wanted status was elevated from Europe to world-wide, 15 new sightings have been reported to police and the National Crime Agency.

Josh Hanson

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Four have been investigated and eliminated from enquiries but the search continues.

Police search efforts are happening in Marbella in Spain, Bangkok in Thailand and Dubai. 

Soon after Josh’s death in 2015 O’Brien fled the UK. It is believed he skipped the country in a private plane. 

Josh, who attended Moss Hall School in Finchley, suffered a serious wound to his neck and died at the scene in Eastcote.

Shane O'Brien

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A £50,000 reward is on offer for information leading to O’Brien’s arrest. 
Tracey and Brooke Hanson, Josh's mum and sister, said: "Josh has not been a part of our lives now for two years and eight months and every day it is getting harder to cope without justice for him.

"Josh was just 21 years of age and at the prime of his life. We are asking the public to help us to get justice for Josh by sharing the wanted poster, so that we can grieve for him in peace."

Detective chief inspector Noel McHugh, from the Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "We are really pleased with the response to our appeals since O'Brien was placed on Interpol's list and would urge people to keep their eyes open wherever they are in the world. 

“Please don't be discouraged by the fact some potential sightings have been investigated and discounted - we want to hear from anyone and everyone who thinks they see O'Brien or has any information no matter how small.

"We would encourage everyone to save the 'wanted' poster to their phones so they have all the information they need, and importantly if you are abroad and think you see O'Brien tell local police or call the National Crime Agency's public line on 0370 496 7622, which is staffed 24 hours a day, immediately - it is really important we are able to act quickly."

Since an appeal in October 2017 a number of sightings have been reported.

Three days after the appeal, police received information a man matching O’Brien’s description had been seen in central Prague; the last time around mid-September 2017. 

Police know O’Brien had previously been in Prague because he was arrested in February 2017 for assault. He used an Italian alias, Enzo Mellonceli, and false documents and was bailed by police. It is believed he was in the city for at least seven months.

Another person reported seeing O’Brien in Gibraltar around the same time and another report indicated he may have been in Nice in early November. Police are also reporting sightings in Bari, Italy. 

Detective chief inspector McHugh said: "Were these sightings of Shane O'Brien? We know he has been travelling extensively since Josh's murder and has the ability to move around without using his own identity with the help of others.

“Those who have been in close proximity to him may well have seen his distinctive and rather poor quality cover-up tattoo of a owl holding a skull. As always, any calls we receive with information will be dealt with in the upmost confidence.”

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On October 28, 2015, police arrested two men, a 24-year-old and a 29-year-old, on an inbound flight to the UK on suspicion of perverting the course of justice and assisting an offender. Both were later released.

Anyone with information about O'Brien can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org

Alternatively call the police on 020 8785 8099 or the National Crime Agency on 0370 496 7622.