Representatives for The Notorious B.I.G.'s estate are reportedly "pleased" with the renewed efforts in the star's murder case.

Born Christopher Wallace, the rapper - who was also known as Biggie Smalls - was gunned down while leaving a California party on March 9, 1997. No arrests were ever made in relation to the death.

His mother Violetta's lawyer Perry R Sanders Jr told TMZ that the family are "greatly pleased with any advancement" of the case but prefer to stay out of the proceedings.

"[They want to] make certain [they] don't interfere in the investigation," he explained.

"Their number one concern has always been the resolution of the criminal investigation."

DS