Lulu Piovesana sent 27th birthday message to her ‘dear little brother’ Luis after former city barman was found dead

A former Team GB judo star has paid an emotional tribute to her brother on what would have been his 27th birthday.

Lulu Piovesana, once a Sutton Coldfield Sports Awards winner, posted a message to her brother Luis, who was found dead in Bristol after vanishing early last Friday, February 28.

Luis was well-known in Sutton, having worked behind the bar at the Verdo Lounge in Wylde Green. His family and friends launched a desperate appeal to find him after he went missing after a night out in Bristol city centre.

READ MORE: Tragedy as body found in search for missing ex-Birmingham barman Luis Piovesana

Luis caught a taxi from the Jam Jar venue in Little Ann Street in the St Jude’s area of the city and was last seen at about 3am at the city’s Eastgate Retail Park.

CCTV footage showed him in the car park at the site, first by an IKEA store and then a Tesco.

His belongings, a phone and bag were found by a Burger King branch and his wallet on a mound, with his family believing he was trying to get to his home in Frenchay on the outskirts of Bristol.

They had reported him making a call and saying he was in ‘danger’.

On Monday, March 3, Avon and Somerset Police confirmed a body had been found in the search for Luis.

A spokesperson for the force said: “At around 6pm on Monday, March 3, the police dive team was searching the River Frome in the Napier Road area of Eastville, Bristol, when they located a body.

“While formal identification has not yet taken place, detectives have met with Luis’ family and updated them.

“Our thoughts remain with them during this incredibly difficult time and they continue to be supported by specialist officers.”

Luis’s older sister, Lubjana Piovesana, known as Lulu, who now competes for Austria, posted: “Little Luis, today should be your 27th birthday.

“Losing you has left a hole in our hearts that nothing can fill, and the mystery surrounding your passing makes it even harder and we will do right by you in finding out what happened.

“But today, we choose to celebrate you-the laughter, love, and light you brought into our lives.”

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Lulu continued: “I can’t believe you are gone and I wish we could turn back time.

“I will miss you asking me for the Netflix password every week, stealing my charger and hogging the bathroom, but more importantly I will miss the warm light you brought into our family.

“Rest in peace, my dear little brother. Until we meet again.”

Verdo Lounge had shared the appeal to find Luis, and said: “As some of you may know Luis used to work with us here at Verdo Lounge

“Our thoughts are with him and his family at this time.”