THE disappearance of a man in west London is now being treated as murder, police said on Wednesday (7), exactly three months after he went missing.

Mohammed Shah Subhani, 27, vanished on May 7, nad his white Audi Q3 was found in Camden more than three months later. The car was found bearing false number plates and a full forensic investigation discovered evidence of damange from gunshots within the car.

This played a "major factor" in Scotland Yard's decision to launch a murder probe.

Detective Chief Inspector Noel McHugh from Specialist Crime, said: “On Monday, I had to break the tragic news to his family that Shah’s disappearance is now a murder inquiry.

“The fact that Shah has been missing for so long, and all proof of life have been negative, is a major factor in our decision.

“However, as well as Shah being missing, we also have evidence from his white Audi Q3, which we recovered in Camden.

“Inside this car we found evidence of ballistic damage and everything now indicates that Shah has been unlawfully killed."

The police officer said that a reward was being offered. “A £20,000 Met reward is being offered, both for information leading to the whereabouts of Shah and also information leading to the identification, arrest and prosecution of anyone connected with his murder.”

Four men have been arrested in connection with the case.

Subhani's family, meanwhile, is convinced that people in the local community know something about his disappearance.

His sister Iqra told Sky News: "I know that whoever has taken my brother, it's not one person. My brother is an 80 kilogram bodybuilder.

"It's not a one man job, I know a few people are involved and my plea is to the public, if you have heard anything or know anything, then please come forward because you are the only person that's going to help us find my brother or what could have potentially happened to him. Without your help, we're clueless."