TWENTY-FOUR years ago Michael Schallamach vanished from the lives of his friends and family including his wife, children and grandchildren.

The 53-year-old's disappearance has remained a mystery since then, making it one of the force's longest running unsolved murder cases.

But today, following a cold case reviews, police have released crucial evidence that they believe could help bring his killers to justice.

In an unusual step officers leading the inquiry have revealed that two men who are currently serving whole life sentences for murdering an entire family in 2003, are suspected of killing of Mr Schallamach a decade earlier.

Officers have named Kenneth Regan and William Horncy as suspects in the murder of the grandfather-of-two after identifying a number of similarities between the two cases.

Both men are currently serving life sentences for the notorious killings of the Chohan family.

A jury convicted the pair of murdering Armajit Chohan after they attempted to steal his freight business so they could use it as a front for drug running.

They also killed Armarjit’s 25-year-old wife Nancy and their two young sons, 18-month-old Devinder and two-month-old Ravinder along with Nancy’s 51-year-old mother Charanjit Kaur.

A review of the Schallamach case by detectives found striking similarities between the two cases including how a letter was sent in both cases to the family and friends of the victims after they went missing, claiming they had left the country in a bid to conceal the murder.

At the time of Mr Schallamach’s disappearance his wife Yvonne received a handwritten letter sent from Calais in France from a person, allegedly called Helen, stating they had run off together which backed up claims by Mr Shallamach's associates that he had run away with another woman to live in Europe or Nigeria.

Relatives of the Chohans were also sent letters, after they had been abducted, claiming they had fled the country which had also been sent from Calais in France.

Officers have today appealed for the public's help in finding whoever wrote that letter to Mr Schallamach's family to help piece together evidence that could lead to a conviction.

Simon Casey, who led the review of the case, said: "We have exhausted all other lines of inquiry in trying to identify who wrote this letter so this is our last chance in asking the public for their help. We are hoping someone recognises the handwriting as theirs or someone they know.

"The person who wrote it may have never been told the reason behind writing it. Also allegiance and associations might have changed over time, particularly now the two men who we believe were involved are now behind bars. People who for whatever reason may not have come forward before, now have the chance to help give his family that justice and closure they need."

Regan was a known business associate of Mr Schallamach and when interviewed about his disappearance said he was the last person to see the father-of-two alive. In a further similarity, during the Chohan trail, the jury heard how Regan was also the last person to see the businessman alive.

The appeal to help solve the Schallamach case will be made nation-wide today by Detective Ben Snuggs on the BBC's Crimewatch programme.

He said: “You may know what happened to Michael Schallamach. It has been 24 years since he went missing. Friendships and allegiances change over the years. This may be the last opportunity to tell us what you know.

“Mr Schallamach’s family have spent almost a quarter of a century not knowing what happened to him and I’m appealing for the public to help us finally solve this long running murder enquiry.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Major Investigation Team on 01962 841534 quoting Operation Firethorn or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The Daily Echo reported on the disappearance of Michael Schallamach in 1992.

Back then reporters spoke to his wife Yvonne who spoke of her fears that her husband had been kidnapped or killed.

He was described as a businessman who worked in Nigeria setting up business opportunities. 

Mrs Schallamach described how she had been on holiday in Tenerife when she was contacted by a business contact in the Netherlands who said her husband had not turned up for a meeting.

Later that year Mrs Schallamach, who had two children and two grandchildren with her husband, described how their car had been abandoned in Paris leading her to believe the worst had happened.

She told reporters at the time: "It is the uncertainty which is the worse thing. I would rather know - even if he is dead."