Tragic Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s family beg public ‘do the right thing’ & help find killer ‘who took our baby away from us’
THE family of nine-year-old Olivia Pratt-Korbel have begged people to “do the right thing” in the search for her killer.
The schoolgirl’s loved ones urged the public for help to find out “who took our baby away from us”.
It comes after police investigating Olivia Pratt-Korbel’s murder today warned her killer “we will find you” amid fears he may have fled abroad.
Olivia, nine, was caught in the crossfire of an alleged “tit-for-tat” gang war at her home in Liverpool.
Her heartbroken family yesterday paid tribute to “crazy, beautiful” Olivia as they urged anyone with information to come forward.
Cousin Rebecca Louise wrote: “Baby girl, I don’t think I or the family will ever find the words to describe the heartache we have all felt the past 24 hours.
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“We haven’t just lost ’Our Liv’, we’ve lost a daughter, a sister, a niece, a cousin and a granddaughter.
“Our little Liv who was full of life, full of sass and most definitely knew what she wanted in life. You had so much potential and a full life to lead beautiful.
“I can only apologise for the cruel world we live in and the monsters in it. My heart aches so much and I don’t think we will ever digest what’s happened.
“We WILL find who did this and we WILL get justice for you baby girl. Lewis & I love you SO much it hurts. Forever 9 years young”.
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Rebecca said she knows the family has “not only the hearts of the city but the hearts of a nation behind us all”.
She added: “Let’s put this into action and get these weapons off our street’s. No other family should EVER have to endure the pain we as a family and especially my aunty Cheryl have experienced.
“No other child should have to lose their lives to these senseless crimes. Forever and always in our hearts baby”.
Police today said officers were working “around the clock” to catch the gunman as the manhunt entered its third day.
In an update on three fatal shootings in Liverpool in less than a week, DCI Mark Kameen said there had been “number of positive lines of enquiry” the force were pursuing.
Addressing the suspect directly, he added: “We will not rest until we find you and we will find you.”
He said it was unclear if the gunman had fled overseas and added: “We have had a number of names provided to us”.
Merseyside Police also confirmed they had identified the second intended target of the fatal shooting.
He had been walking near Olivia’s home with Joseph Nee, 35, when the gunman opened fire.
Nee then burst into the terraced home followed by the shooter, who sprayed bullets with “complete disregard”.
Officers confirmed yesterday he had been detained in hospital for breaching his licence conditions.
Nee will be recalled to prison after recently being released automatically halfway through a 45-month sentence for burglary.
The 35-year-old, who lives close to Olivia’s home, was part of a gang who led cops on a 125mph chase through Cheshire and Merseyside.
He admitted two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified.
The Sun revealed how Nee, who was shot twice in Monday night’s horror, was refusing to speak to cops investigating Olivia’s murder.
The bloodbath unfolded when he rushed into Olivia’s home to escape a gunman who shot at him and a second male on the street.
Mum Cheryl appeared to have opened the front door to see what the commotion was when he forced his way inside.
The shooter then followed and began peppering the home with bullets – hitting Cheryl first then Olivia, who was standing behind her mum.
Tragically, Olivia was declared dead shortly after being blasted in the chest.
Her mum was treated for a gunshot wound to the wrist but has been released from hospital.
Intended target Nee was treated for multiple wounds to his upper body.
As Olivia lay dying, his friends picked him up in a black Audi and took him to hospital.
The Audi has since been seized and the driver has been spoken to by police.
Merseyside Police also issued a passionate plea for information as they vowed to “not rest until those who are responsible are put behind bars”.
Chief Constable Serena Kennedy said the “shocking” killing “crosses every single boundary” as she appealed to the “criminal fraternity” in Liverpool for information.
The tragedy is the third fatal shooting in Liverpool in less than a week after a council worker was killed 48 hours ago.
Ashley Dale, 28, was shot dead just two miles away in her back garden in Old Swan in a case of mistaken identity.
Police confirmed today a man and woman had been arrested over her death.
In a separate bloodbath, Sam Rimmer, 22, was shot dead on Wednesday in Toxteth with three people arrested.
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A woman in her 50s was also stabbed to death outside a pub in Kirkby last night.
Olivia’s death also came 15 years to the day that 11-year-old Rhys Jones was brutally murdered.
