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Judo Olympian pleads for help finding missing brother

Bea Swallow
BBC News, Bristol
Avon and Somerset Police Luis Piovesana wearing a navy cap with brown sunglasses over them. He has short dark hair tucked behind his ears and is wearing a black T-shirt. He is clean shaven and is looking straight at the camera with a blank expression.Avon and Somerset Police
Luis Piovesana was last seen walking on foot after getting a 10-minute taxi journey from a nearby venue

A judo Olympian has appealed for help to find her missing brother who disappeared from a retail park in the middle of the night.

Luis Piovesana, 26, was last seen at about 03:00 GMT on Friday at Eastgate Retail Park in Bristol, having left a venue in nearby St Jude's and travelling there via taxi.

His sister Lubjana Piovesana, 28, who competed for Team GB before switching to the Austrian team, said the next hours were "critical" in the search for her brother.

Avon and Somerset Police say they were "extremely worried" for Mr Piovesana, as it was "out of character for him to be missing".

Avon and Somerset Police A CCTV image of Luis Piovesana, wearing black baggy jeans, cream-coloured trainers, a black and grey gilet and a cream cross body bag. Avon and Somerset Police
Luis Piovesana was captured on CCTV walking near the Ikea at about 03:00 GMT

CCTV footage shows Mr Piovesana travelling on foot around the retail park in the early hours of Friday.

He was wearing black baggy jeans with a diamond patterned stitching on them, cream-coloured trainers, a black and grey Rapha gilet and a black Rapha cap, police said.

Mr Piovesana also had a cartoon-style tattoo of a man, a car and a cherub on his arm, and a Vespa motorbike on his stomach, they added.

He had links to Frenchay in South Gloucestershire, the force said.

Getty Images Lubjana Piovesana wearing her white judo uniform and holding out a medal with a blue ribbon round her neck. She has bright red hair which is tied up in a messy bun on top of her head. She is smiling at the camera, and behind her are blue stands for people to sit.Getty Images
Ms Piovesana says the circumstances around his disappearance are "very concerning"

Ms Piovesana, who defeated Team GB's Lucy Renshall in the women's -63kg judo event in Paris last year, wrote on Facebook: "He has no phone, no money, no cards, so he will be in distress.

"Please check your sheds, garages, or if you have any building that he could enter.

"He could be injured, he could be trapped. Even if you think he could not be in there, please just double check in case he is stuck, as he may have been trying to hide or seek shelter from the cold.

"The next hours are critical and any help is appreciated."

Avon and Somerset Police Luis Piovesana wearing a green and white checked shirt over a white t-shirt. He has medium length dark hair and a faint moustache. He appears to be in a bar at night, surrounded by people.Avon and Somerset Police
The 26-year-old has been missing for three days

Det Insp Pete Walker added: "We are extremely worried for Luis and would encourage anyone with information to contact us as soon as possible.

"We are carrying out extensive searches as we urgently try to locate him."

Police have appealed for anyone with CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage from the area to get in contact.

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