The family of a missing woman and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has released a number of new images as part of an ongoing investigation into her whereabouts.
Alisha Apostoloff-Boyarin from Ashton-under-Lyne in Tameside was last seen in County Durham in January 2022.
The ongoing investigation into the disappearance of the 24-year-old was declared a murder investigation by GMPs Major Incident Team earlier this month when a 59-year-old man, from Willington, County Durham, was arrested on suspicion of her murder after detectives established that although Alisha was still missing, evidence suggested that she had “come to serious harm”.
GMP says evidence has lead detectives to believe that Alisha has come to serious harm, and two arrests have since been made.
It is believed that Alisha travelled from Ashton to County Durham and back in January.
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With it now being over two months since she was last seen, officers are continuing to urge people both in the Manchester and Durham areas to think if they could have seen Alisha since January, and are also asking anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage showing Alisha to get in touch with officers.
Alisha is said to regularly wear a long Parka style jacket with a hood and may have been wearing this when she went missing, GMP says.
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Alisha’s family are currently being supported by family liaison officers.
Alisha Apostoloff-Boyrin from Ashton-under-Lyne who was last seen in Durham in January 2022 / Credit: Greater Manchester Police
Speaking on the ongoing investigation, senior Investigating Officer, DCI Andrew Naismith, said: “Our team of detectives are working around the clock to try and piece together what has happened to Alisha and we have followed a number of lines of enquiry so far which has resulted in two arrests and we feel that we are edging closer towards establishing the full circumstances.”
He continued: “I’d like to appeal again for anyone who may have seen Alisha since January, or anyone who has any information at all about her disappearance, to please get in touch with police as soon as possible.
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“You may be able to help us find Alisha and bring some closure for her family.”
You can send information to GMP through the online portal here, or by calling GMPs Major Incident team on 0161 856 6777, or you can even use the LiveChat service on the GMP website.
Alternatively, you contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Arrest made after 14-year-old boy found in critical condition on Market Street
Daisy Jackson
An arrest has been made after a teenage boy was found unresponsive on Market Street in Manchester city centre.
Detectives believe that the boy, 14, was approached by seven males who stole a designer jacket from him.
Following the altercation, he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Thankfully, the teenager is continuing to recover well.
Detectives from Manchester City Centre Criminal Investigation Department confirmed that an 18-year-old male was arrested yesterday, Thursday 20 February.
He has been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remains in police custody.
Detective Inspector Mark Astbury of GMP’s City Centre Criminal Investigation Department, said: “We hope the victim can continue his recovery following what must have been a terrifying ordeal for him.
“Officers are fully investigating all aspects of this shocking incident that has left a man with serious injuries in hospital.
“Our work doesn’t stop here, we are continuing to investigate this incident and information from the public plays an incredibly important role in our investigations and I ask that the community keep talking to us and keep sharing their concerns with us so our teams can act.”
If you have any information, contact GMP 101 or 0161 856 4305 quoting log 2854 of 16/2/25.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials
Emily Sergeant
Trials are currently underway to see if comedy could be an alternative to antidepressants as a way to reduce NHS costs.
UK tech company Craic Health has secured important funding for its ‘comedy on prescription’ project that’s aimed at helping the Government work with the comedy industry, communities, and organisations on comedy-based social prescriptions in the hope that they can solve financial struggles within the NHS.
The groundbreaking scheme uses stand-up shows and workshops to help people who are isolated, lonely, and vulnerable.
Craic believes comedy is an ‘untapped opportunity’ to improve health and wellbeing, and has a goal to make comedy easier to access, so that it can help communities experience its mental health and social benefits.
To achieve this, the company has started trialling Comedy-on-Prescription experiences in the UK – starting in London, with the potential for expansion – which includes things like curated comedy panel game show events and workshops, and general stand-up comedy shows at some of the capital’s world-famous venues.
Comedy is being prescribed instead of antidepressants as part of UK trials / Credit: Wikimedia Commons
“Mental health issues like loneliness, isolation, and stress are more common than ever,” the company explains.
“So much so that it’s projected that by 2030, mental health problems, particularly depression, will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally, [but] in this challenging world, comedy stands out as a universal language that breaks barriers.
“Research shows that comedy and laughter have powerful effects – they bring people together, create positive connections, and make life more enjoyable.”
Craic Health says that social prescribing, of which Comedy-on-Prescription is a part of, is all about inclusivity, which makes it making it suitable for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Its focus is on personalised support, tailored to individual needs and preferences.
Emily Sergeant -
31st March 2022 
