Claudia Lawrence six month appeal

The investigation

Claudia Lawrence - new photograph 1 Displays a larger version of this image in a new browser windowClaudia Lawrence was last seen on Wednesday 18 March 2009 after leaving work at York University. She was sighted at around 3.05pm at the junction of Heworth Road and East Parade walking back towards her home on Heworth Road.

The investigation team is still trying to establish Claudia's exact movements from 8.30pm on Wednesday 18 March when she was last in contact with her parents via telephone from her home.

Claudia was due to walk the three miles to work on Thursday 19 March 2009 for a shift beginning at 6am. But she never turned up for work on that day.

Despite the intensive police search effort in and around the Heworth and York University area, and detailed enquiries further a field, Claudia's disappearance remains unexplained and a complete mystery.

Her mobile phone - a Silver Samsung D900 -  and blue Karrimor rucksack in which she carried her chef's whites, have still yet to be located.

Significant new line of enquiry

Officers from the team investigating the suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence have been sent to Cyprus as a result of lines of enquiry that have developed over the course of the investigation.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway said: "The last text message that Claudia received at 9.12pm on Wednesday 18 March 2009 was from a friend in Cyprus. It is not known whether Claudia ever opened this last text message, therefore there has always been a link to Cyprus.

"However, over the course of the investigation it has become apparent that Claudia knew several people who live on the island, and it is believed that during her visits to Cyprus she has also received job offers. Hence the need to pursue these lines of enquiry."  

Peter Lawrence, Claudia's father

Claudia Lawrence - new photograph 2 Displays a larger version of this image in a new browser window"It is now six months since Claudia disappeared, suddenly one morning.

"There was no reason for her to go missing; she was happy and making plans for meeting family and friends in the following days.

"Claudia has not been found despite very extensive searches by the police.

"I believe she was taken by someone, and is being kept against her will.

"Please end the family's nightmare, and help to bring about Claudia's safe return, by telling the Police or Crimestoppers of any information you have however little or unimportant you think it may be. Just a small piece of information may help the police to put together a trail of other information received. Please we do need you to do this to give us a resolution to our nightmare."

Ali Sims, Claudia's sister

"Just over six months ago my sister Claudia called to cancel coming down for the weekend. Her friend was down so she was going to go out with her instead. That was typical of Claudia - a good friend. She said 'I've got time off at Easter, I'll come down then'. Of course she didn't. I can still hear her voice now. That was the last time we spoke.

"Since then we've had Dad's birthday, Mum's birthday and my youngest son's first birthday - for us that was the most poignant. The two of us, my husband and I, our eldest son, all four grandparents and our neighbours sat in our lounge as he took his first steps - exactly the same group as a year previously when I brought him home from hospital. But one person was missing. Our eldest is five in two weeks. He knows Aunty Claudia is missing but he'll probably still wonder where his birthday card is.

"Six months on and we are no closer to knowing where Claudia is or what happened to her. As a family we can't face another six months of this. So far, despite extensive press coverage, we are no further forward. We are hoping that this time it's different."

Video appeal

Claudia's family have also recorded a video appeal urging anyone with information about Claudia's whereabouts to come forward.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, Senior Investigating Officer

"North Yorkshire Police remain focused and determined in the investigation into the disappearance of Claudia. My investigation team and I are determined to bring any person or persons responsible for her disappearance to justice.

"We will continue to pursue each and every line of enquiry that I believe may assist us in determining exactly what happened and will leave no stone unturned.  I remain confident that, with the continued assistance of the public, we will achieve the breakthrough that we need."

Det Supt Galloway remains firm in his view that Claudia had no reason whatsoever to run away from her life in York of her own accord.

"She was very much a creature of habit who lived a structured existence that revolved around her work as a chef at the University of York, her social life in local pubs with a close band of friends and her love for her family.

"However, it is equally true that she led a complex life and embarked on a series of relationships that none of her family and friends were aware of. A more complete understanding of these relationships is crucial to the further progression of our investigation.

"Despite all our enquiries to date, there is nothing to indicate that she is still alive.  Claudia has missed key events for her family, such as Mother's Day and family birthdays. It is unheard of that she would allow these important family occasions to pass without being in contact."

Detective Superintendent Galloway thanked both Claudia's family and friends for their continued support throughout the enquiry. 

"I fully understand and appreciate that some aspects of our investigation, and the manner in which it has sometimes been portrayed, have, and may continue to be, deeply upsetting for them.  

"However, they know that our sole, professional objective is to ascertain what has happened to Claudia. We remain resolute in this objective.

"Somebody knows what has happened to Claudia or, at the very least, has overheard a comment or noticed a change in behaviour that causes them some concern in relation to Claudia's disappearance.

"I would urge them to share that concern with us by calling North Yorkshire Police or Crimestoppers."

Cyprus deployment statement

"Enquiries have been conducted with people who knew or were in contact with Claudia since the earliest stages of the investigation, but the primary focus of the investigation has always been in York. Only as further investigation revealed the extent of Claudia's contacts on the island did it become apparent that it would be necessary to send a team across there.

"It is not possible to send officers to pursue enquiries in a foreign territory without the necessary authority being obtained first and, to this end, the due process must be adhered to. The enquiries being made on Cyprus relate to witnesses, not suspects, and, with the full co-operation of the Cypriot Authorities, real progress has been made in developing our understanding of Claudia's contacts on the island.

"A further update will be provided upon the officers' return."

Contact us

Anyone with  information that could help the investigation is urged to contact the incident room on 0845 60 60 24 7.

Information can also be passed on anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.

Crimestoppers is offering a £10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Claudia's disappearance.