JUDO STAR'S AGONY
Ex-Team GB star reveals ‘devastation’ after body found in river search for missing brother – as ‘999 call’ emerges
He was last spotted near the back of a Tesco Extra car park
AN EX-team GB star has revealed her "devastation" after a body was found in a river in the search for her missing brother.
Luis Piovesana, 26, the brother of judo Olympian Lubjana Piovesana, 28, vanished in the early hours of Friday morning, before making a mysterious 999 call just minutes later, it has emerged.
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Taking to Facebook last night, Lubjana, known as Lulu, said: "Hello everyone, Luis has been found.
"We are completely devastated but he has passed away.
"I am grateful for everyone’s support. And I am so sorry this has happened.
"Luis was my little brother and loved by everyone. I wish he could have seen the love from everyone."
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"He will be remembered by us all," she added, before signing off with a dove emoji.
In further updates, posted today, the athlete added: "We ask that any speculation about the circumstances of Luis' death is avoided.
"There is an ongoing investigation being led by the police at this time, although we can confirm that Luis did not take his own life."
Lulu also shared that a walk would be taking place today to lay flowers for Luis.
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The Olympian's brother was last seen at Eastgate retail park in Bristol - having travelled there via a taxi from a venue in St Jude’s, a 10-minute drive away.
Over 100 cops deployed to help in a frantic hunt for the 26-year-old - with mounted officers and police drone teams leading investigations.
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However, a body was tragically discovered by divers in the River Frome near the M32 at around 6pm.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed: "A body has been found in the search for missing 26-year-old Luis Piovesana.
"While formal identification has not yet taken place, detectives have met with Luis' family and updated them.
"Our thoughts remain with them at this time."
Friends had seen Luis getting into a taxi at 2.55am at The Jam Jar in Little Ann Street, St Jude’s.
While in the taxi, at 2.59am he made a call to his partner and left a voicemail.
Four minutes later, he called 999 but hung up after 34 seconds - and attempts to call him back went unanswered.
At 3.04am, the police received a call from a member of the public concerned for a man walking in the area close to junction 2 of the M32.
Officers attended that call and carried out inquiries, but did not see the man in question.
The last confirmed sighting of Luis is on foot near the Click and Collect facility at the back of the Tesco Extra car park.
His bag, phone and wallet were later found discarded at the retail park by a friend using a tracking app linked to Luis’ phone.
Subsequent CCTV inquiries showed Luis discarded those items.
He was reported missing at 7.37am and an investigation was launched.
Before the discovery yesterday, the young man's pleaded for anyone with information to come forward.
Speaking to the PA news agency, Lulu's partner, Laurin Bohler, said they had searched tirelessly for Luis since he went missing, with family and friends having come from Birmingham to help search.
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Lulu competed for Team GB before switching to the Austrian team, who she represented at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
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