As the 13^th anniversary of the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence approaches, North Yorkshire Police remains committed to establishing the truth about what happened to her.

Claudia was last seen and heard from on 18 March 2009, prompting the largest and most complex missing person inquiry in the force’s history.

 

 

But despite two separate inquiries, and a comprehensive review, involving hundreds of police personnel and national experts, no trace has ever been found of the missing University of York chef.

During the last 13 years, North Yorkshire Police has vigorously investigated all possible, viable lines of enquiry in a bid to discover what happened to Claudia, who was 35 years old at the time of her disappearance.

That included the most recent and intensive search activity conducted last summer at Sand Hutton gravel pits.

In January 2017, North Yorkshire Police took the decision to scale back the investigation and to move into a “reactive” phase.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox, who now leads the inquiry, said: “This announcement followed an extensive three-year review and reinvestigation of the original case, conducted by a team of 20 dedicated investigators and supported by experts in varying fields and from the National Crime Agency.

“It was made clear at the time, however, that the then newly-formed Cleveland and North Yorkshire Cold Case Review Team would retain responsibility for reviewing new information which may be relevant to the inquiry.

“In the years that followed, we have continued to receive information about Claudia.

“All of this has been evaluated and, when assessed as potentially viable, we have actively pursued specific new lines of enquiry – as we did at Sand Hutton last summer.

“Whilst the inquiry is in a reactive phase, I want to stress that it is not closed.

“Every new piece of information or material is thoroughly assessed for investigative value and tested against the significant amounts of material which have been acquired over the last 13 years.

“I hope that the nature and scale of activity undertaken in August last year demonstrates that we continue in our efforts to thoroughly investigate any line of enquiry which is deemed pursuable, and, despite the passage of time, we remain determined to provide the answers that Claudia’s mother, sister and her many friends so desperately need and deserve.

“I am extremely grateful to those members of the public who have provided information, and I repeat my appeals to anyone else who may have information which is relevant to Claudia’s disappearance to share that information with us.

“Although it is 13 years since Claudia disappeared, I still firmly believe that the public have a vital part to play in supporting our efforts.

“Given the sheer amount of material acquired, and the number of enquiry lines pursued, it may be the case that what could appear to be insignificant, could actually be the key to finally resolving this inquiry.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room quoting “Claudia Lawrence”.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting “Claudia Lawrence, North Yorkshire Police”. A report can also be made online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

 

 

Update 5 September 2021

Claudia Lawrence investigation: Searches at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits conclude

The search of Sand Hutton Gravel Pits in relation to the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence has been completed.

Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox, Head of the Major Investigation Team, has confirmed that nothing of obvious significance was located during searches of part of the wooded area and in the smaller of the two lakes.

A small number of items were recovered during the two-week search. Whilst these items are being assessed for their forensic potential, any relevance to Claudia’s disappearance has not currently been established.

Claudia’s family, who continue to be supported and updated by North Yorkshire Police, have been made aware.

Teams of police search experts, specially trained search dogs, divers and forensic archaeologists took part in the search, which began on 24 August and concluded today (5 September).

Det Supt Fox, who is leading the enquiry, said that separate strands of information had been received by detectives investigating Claudia’s disappearance.

He said: “When we assessed these separate and independently-sourced pieces of information against the wealth of information already generated during the last 12 years, we found they correlated with other information pointing to the area of Sand Hutton.

“We then consulted a number of national experts in various different disciplines and concluded that we could not discount the possibility that Sand Hutton Gravel Pits could have a major relevance in explaining what happened to Claudia.

“Armed with fresh information to the enquiry, that seemed to corroborate known facts, we were duty bound to conduct thorough searches of the area. Not searching was not an option – not for Claudia, not for her family, and not for the wider public.”

He added: “As a result of the publicity surrounding the last two weeks, members of the public have come forward with new information for which I am grateful. This will be assessed and investigated in the coming days and weeks.

“In the light of some media speculation, I would like to stress, however, that we are not liaising with any other police force in relation to these new lines of enquiry.”

“As I hope the events of the last two weeks demonstrate, we are committed to establishing what happened to Claudia and bringing closure for her family. You cannot fail to be moved by the ongoing suffering of a mother who does not know what has happened to her daughter. I again repeat the request to those who know what has happened to Claudia, to do the right thing, come forward and help end the torment of Claudia’s family.”

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room quoting “Claudia Lawrence”.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting “Claudia Lawrence, North Yorkshire Police”. A report can also be made online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

 

Police searching local area in Claudia Lawrence investigation

Update 24 August 2021

This is an update in relation to searches at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits.

Superintendent Wayne Fox, Head of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team and the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said:

“The searches which have commenced today (Tuesday 24 August 2021) at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits are in relation to the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence more than 12 years ago.

“I cannot say exactly how long these searches may take, however, it is likely that specialist officers and staff, including underwater search teams and forensic experts, will be here for a number of days.

“While I am unable to disclose what has led us to this area, I must stress that the searches are just one of several active lines of enquiry currently being pursued by the Major Investigation Team in our efforts to establish what happened to Claudia and identify any person responsible for causing her harm.

“Claudia’s family have been updated about this development in the case.”

 

On their behalf, and out of respect for their privacy, we ask journalists and members of the public to avoid engaging in any speculation about the case.

Reporting information

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room quoting “Claudia Lawrence”.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting “Claudia Lawrence, North Yorkshire Police”. A report can also be made online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

 

Claudia Lawrence case 12th anniversary

Update 18 March 2021

Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox, Head of the North Yorkshire Major Investigation Team, has released a video and statement to mark the 12th anniversary of the Claudia Lawrence case.

 

“It is now 12 years since Claudia Lawrence disappeared.

Over that time, North Yorkshire Police has conducted two extensive and exhaustive investigations in an attempt to find her.

We have taken thousands and thousands of statements.

We have searched numerous scenes, trawled through thousands of hours of CCTV footage and pursued numerous lines of enquiry, in Yorkshire, in other parts of the UK and overseas.

We have consulted with experts in many different fields, including those in the National Crime Agency, and in the FBI.

We have also arrested and interviewed a number of people.

Sadly, we have not yet been able to find Claudia, or fully provide the answers that her family so desperately need.

In October last year, following the retirement of Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, I was appointed as the new Senior Investigating Officer in charge of the Claudia Lawrence case. I share his determination and sincerely hope that one day we will find Claudia and bring to justice those responsible for her suspected murder.

Today, on the 12th anniversary of her disappearance, our hearts go out to Claudia’s loved ones; they have endured unrelenting anguish and trauma throughout this time. I want to express our sympathy and on-going support to Claudia’s mother Joan, to her sister Ali, and to her many good friends. It is deeply sad that Claudia’s father Peter died just a few weeks ago, never knowing what happened to his daughter.

In my view, there are likely to be several people out there who either know or have strong suspicions as to what happened to Claudia. For whatever reason, they have maintained a silence for 12 years. That is an awfully long time to carry such a burden of guilt. The longer you carry it, the greater the anguish you are causing to Claudia’s family and friends. Please do the right thing, come forward and speak to me.

I also want to acknowledge the help we have received from the public. Whilst the amount of information has inevitably become less frequent over the passage of time, we continue to receive information through a variety of sources.

Some of this can be quickly discounted because of enquiries we have already made; but at other times, we receive information – sometimes anonymously – that appears extremely interesting and sparks a whole new line of investigation.

To the people providing this type of information, I urge you to get back in touch with as much detail as you know.

If you know something that could help us find Claudia, or those involved in her disappearance and suspected murder, please come forward. It is not too late.

I, and my team, are ready to pursue any positive and significant new line of enquiry that is brought to our attention.”

Report information…

• Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room
• Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information cannot be traced or recorded and you will not go to court
• Please quote “Claudia Lawrence” when providing details

 

Background to the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence and key points in the three-year review of the investigation which concluded in 2017

Claudia was reported missing by her father Peter Lawrence on Friday 20 March 2009, after friends became concerned that they had not heard from her since Wednesday 18 March.

She was aged 35 at the time and worked as a chef at the University of York’s Goodricke College.

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

Her mobile phone – a silver Samsung D900 – and blue and grey Karrimor rucksack in which she carried her chef’s whites, have never been found.

Claudia was last sighted at around 3.05pm on Wednesday 18 March at the junction of Heworth Road and East Parade walking back towards her home on Heworth Road. She was also captured on CCTV as she left Goodricke College and as she walked home.

Claudia spoke to her mum Joan Lawrence and dad on that Wednesday evening over the telephone. They both said she was in good spirits.

Following concerns raised by her friends, Claudia’s dad reported her missing on Friday 20 March 2009.

Despite the intensive police search effort in and around the Heworth and York University area, and detailed enquiries further afield, Claudia’s disappearance remained unexplained and treated as suspected murder.

Claudia is described as white, around 5ft 6in tall, slim build, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, blue jeans and trainers.

 

Claudia Lawrence investigation review timeline

This timeline shows events and key lines of enquiry from the days surrounding Claudia Lawrence's disappearance.

Autumn 2013

Announcement that Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn and his newly enhanced Major Crime Unit team to undertake a full review of the Claudia Lawrence investigation.

28 October 2013

High-profile media coverage as a fresh forensic assessment and further examination work over several weeks begins at Claudia’s home on Heworth Road, York. This work included a forensic review of material already submitted the original investigation and opportunities to use new forensic techniques and applications.

19 March 2014

Extensive coverage of the review of the Claudia Lawrence investigation on the fifth anniversary of the case. This included an in depth report on the key lines of enquiry by Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn on BBC1’s Crimewatch and a £10,000 reward on offer from Crimestoppers.

13 May 2014

A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Claudia’s murder and later released on bail while enquiries continue.

23 July 2014

A 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. Following questioning he was released on bail to allow for further investigation.

17 November 2014

The 59-year-old man (now aged 61) was released from bail following his arrest on 13 May 2014 on suspicion of murdering Claudia Lawrence.

25 February 2015

Det Supt Dai Malyn stresses the growing importance to the investigation of the alleyway behind Claudia’s home on Heworth Road, near Lime Court, as further police searches are undertaken.

18 March 2015

CCTV appeal on the sixth anniversary of the investigation which showed a man acting suspiciously on Lime Court near Claudia’s home at around 7.15pm on 18 March 2009. This was about an hour before Claudia spoke to her mum and dad on the telephone. She has not been seen or heard of since.

23 March 2015

A local man aged in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murdering Claudia Lawrence.

22 April 2015

Three local men aged in their 50s were arrested on suspicion of murdering Claudia. This was linked to the arrest on 23 March.

 

CPS to consider file of evidence in relation to four murder suspects

Update 17 September 2015

A file of evidence is to be submitted by North Yorkshire Police to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to four men arrested on suspicion of the murder of missing chef Claudia Lawrence.

The four men, who are aged in their 50s and come from the York area, were arrested earlier this year, one on 23 March and the other three on 22 April.

While the CPS considers the case, the four have been released from bail.

The process of preparing the file will take some time, as will the assessment by the CPS of the case.

For legal reasons, we cannot comment further about the case at this time.

While this process is undertaken, the investigation remains active and Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, head of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit and the senior investigating officer in the Claudia Lawrence inquiry, is again urging the media and the public not to identify the men who are subject of the investigation.

*** Identity is a key issue – please do not identify the four men who are subject of the active investigation *** 

Det Supt Malyn said: “This is to ensure the investigation and legal process are not compromised or potentially damaged in any way. This includes naming or publishing images of the men, their home addresses, places of work, their vehicles and properties on traditional media platforms or social networking sites.

“Your co-operation and support are greatly appreciated by the investigation team.”

 

Claudia Lawrence case remains unsolved despite exhaustive efforts

Update 8 March 2016

The disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence remains unsolved, despite two and a half years of painstaking work by a team of detectives, police staff and national experts who have reviewed the original investigation.

Nearly seven years on since the 35-year-old University of York chef went missing, the lack of data, CCTV and other evidence from the time have frustrated the efforts of review team.

In the view of the experienced detective who led the review, the investigation has ultimately been compromised by the reluctance of some, and refusal of others, to co-operate with police enquiries.

Det Supt Dai Malyn’s comments come after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not bring charges against four men who were arrested last year as a result of the review’s work on suspicion of Claudia’s murder.

Claudia’s disappearance – at some point overnight between 18 and 19 March 2009 – sparked a major enquiry by North Yorkshire Police. Det Supt Malyn, the head of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit, began a review of that original investigation in the autumn of 2013.

Having thoroughly examined the case, he said he was now sure that there are a number of people who know what happened to Claudia but who have refused, for whatever reason, to come forward.

And he believes a man pictured by a CCTV camera walking near to Claudia’s house at the time of her disappearance “remains the most important person to trace”.

He said: “I am sure that there are some people who know, or who have very strong suspicions about, what happened to Claudia. For whatever reason, they have either refused to come forward, or have been economic with the truth.

“I am left with the inescapable conclusion that this case could still be solved if only people were honest with us. The fact that they are not is agonising for Claudia’s family and they should be ashamed of themselves.

“A man was filmed by a CCTV camera in Lime Court, Heworth Road, very close to Claudia’s house, on the morning after she vanished. Our review managed to unearth additional CCTV footage from that same camera shot the previous evening which appears to show the same man in the same place.

“We had this footage examined by a number of experts in the UK and abroad, but it is only as good as the camera and it cannot be enhanced using current techniques. Despite exhaustive efforts, we have not been able to identify the man.

“The lack of extended CCTV footage from that CCTV camera on the days and weeks either side of Claudia’s disappearance, has been one of our biggest frustrations and is typical of the type of challenge that faces a cold case review team. We have reviewed material seized by the original team and, wherever possible, looked to see if additional material could be secured.

“We don’t know if that man was in the area as a matter of daily routine, or whether his appearance is of critical significance. I believe he must be local to the area, and despite extensive appeals, he hasn’t come forward. I can only speculate why he hasn’t done so, and whether someone is protecting him.”

Up to 20 detectives and police staff have worked full-time on the review, with the support of many others brought in at specific moments during the last two and a half years, at a cost of nearly £800,000.

There are more than 6,500 names on the Holmes database which shows the sheer scale of the original investigation and review.

Added to this there are 2,326 Criminal Justice Act (CJA) statements made by 1,215 people, including those made by police officers and police staff during the original enquiry.

Also, 3,488 Officers’ Reports that had been logged and 1,771 vehicles also recorded.

The review team has also:

• Conducted 25 video recorded witness interviews
• Conducted 48 video recorded interviews under caution
• Conducted search warrants at seven business premises and 31 private dwellings (this includes multiple searches of individual premises)
• Reviewed more than 500 permissive searches around Claudia’s home and route to work – mainly gardens but some premises
• Forensically examined 64 scenes (39 from original investigation and 25 during the review)
• Examined 337 items for fingerprint evidence (217 from original investigation and 120 during the review)
• Obtained 273 fingerprints (135 from original investigation and 138 during the review)
• Examined 210 items for DNA evidence
• Completed 95% of 7,514 actions that have been raised during the review (the remaining 5% have been risk-assessed and deemed low-priority)

Numerous national experts have helped to support the review, including:

• National Interview Advisor
• National Family Liaison Lead
• Behavioural Intelligence Analyst
• Forensic Psychologist
• Forensic Podiatrist (interpreting the way people walk from CCTV footage)
• National search advisor
• Forensic ecologist for potential scene excavation, including use of ground penetrating radar
• Digital forensics and data recovery consultant
• Specialist communications data advisor (interpreting telecoms data)
• Consultant engineer and expert witness specialising in radio navigation and communications systems (examination of sat-navs)
• Regional Imagery Unit and specialist companies regarding enhancement of CCTV footage
• Regional forensic resources
• Specialist police marine, air support and dog units for searching and obtaining imagery

As a result of the review, a 59-year-old local man was arrested on 13 May 2014 on suspicion of Claudia’s murder. He was later released from bail.

On 23 July 2014, a 46-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. He was released without charge following advice from the CPS.

On the sixth anniversary of Claudia’s disappearance, detectives released the previously unseen CCTV footage of the man acting suspiciously in Lime Court. It was recorded at around 7.15pm on 18 March 2009, about an hour before Claudia spoke to her mum and dad on the phone.

Shortly after releasing this footage, and as a direct result of a robust review of the information captured by the original investigation team, four local men were arrested (on 23 March and on 22 April 2015) on suspicion of murder. They were all released from bail on 17 September 2015 to allow the necessary time for the CPS to assess a file of evidence presented by the team and to consider whether to bring charges.

Today, Tuesday 8 March 2016, North Yorkshire Police confirmed the CPS decision that the four men will not be charged with any offences.

Det Supt Malyn said: “For legal reasons I am limited about what I can say, but I respect the decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service.

“We have made several arrests in this enquiry and, as a result, we have had positive reactions from the public and very useful information.

“We do not arrest people without weighing up the proportionality and justification for the arrest. To eliminate people from an enquiry, we sometimes have to search for evidence that either supports their alibis or not. Seven years on this is more difficult to do just relying on memory, therefore if it is justified, proportionate and necessary, we will arrest or apply for search warrants.

“The investigation team will continue to thoroughly assess any new leads and information. We remind those who we suspect are withholding key information about Claudia that we will not give up our quest to find the truth.

“As we move towards the seventh anniversary of Claudia’s disappearance, we hope the public will continue to help us and provide that vital information the family and we need to find out what happened to Claudia.”

Det Supt Malyn added: “We can’t rule out that a complete stranger to Claudia was involved and managed to avoid CCTV cameras, being disturbed by witnesses and is unknown to the investigation team, her friends and family. Until then, we will continue to investigate the information that regularly comes into the team and look at all possibilities.

“However, I still strongly favour the theory that the person – or persons – responsible for Claudia’s disappearance was someone – or several people – who were close to her. It was either very well-planned or there was a huge element of luck to have got away with it, so far at least. In my view they have probably been helped by the fact that those closely associated with Claudia have withheld key information.

“The team has worked tirelessly to get a breakthrough in this case and I thank every one of them for this. I’m hopeful one day we will get that bit of luck or that a courageous person will step forward to give us that break.

“I know Claudia’s family have appreciated our extensive efforts during the review and active investigation over the past two-and-a-half years. I also know what a fraught and painful process this has been for them as they continue their desperate search for answers about Claudia’s disappearance.

“I have personally told them that North Yorkshire Police will never give up on Claudia. The case will remain open until the day Claudia has been found and those responsible for her suspected murder are brought to justice.”

Det Supt Malyn also thanked the media for their support and responsible reporting in relation to the four men arrested on suspicion of murder last year. He has repeatedly requested that the men are not named for legal reasons and these requests have been honoured.

North Yorkshire Police asks that this responsible reporting continues, and those who have been subject to the investigation are treated fairly and that their right to privacy is respected.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy, who has overseen the review of the investigation, said: “Over the past two-and-a-half years I have seen first-hand the sheer tenacity and professionalism of Det Supt Malyn and the Major Crime Unit to advance the Claudia Lawrence investigation.

“I am hugely grateful to the senior investigating officer and his team for their tenacity and sheer hard work to search for the truth. I also thank the group of national experts who have provided such valuable support and guidance to the investigation.

“This investigation will never be closed before we find the truth. If new information comes to light about Claudia Lawrence or anyone involved in her disappearance and suspected murder, North Yorkshire Police will act immediately.”

 

Claudia Lawrence enquiry moves to reactive phase

Update 17 January 2017

The three-year review by North Yorkshire Police of the investigation into the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence has now moved to a reactive phase which will review any new and compelling information that comes to light.

This is due to the proactive review and, in some areas, a re-investigation, being all but complete.

Unless one outstanding line of enquiry relating to DNA profiling, estimated to take a further six weeks to finalise, provides a breakthrough in the case, the review which has cost £1m will start to scale down next month.

Claudia’s parents Peter and Joan attended a meeting with detectives on Tuesday 10 January at North Yorkshire Police’s Headquarters, where they were given a detailed presentation on the current position and direction of the review. They were also informed that the review is reaching its conclusion. Claudia’s sister, Ali, was briefed separately the day before.

Assistant Chief Constable Paul Kennedy, who attended the family meeting, said: “Step by step, we have explained to Claudia’s family the extensive work the review team has conducted in an attempt to determine precisely what happened to Claudia.

“The team has reviewed the entirety of the initial investigation into Claudia’s disappearance in 2009, and as a result, has identified many new lines of enquiry which have been pursued with vigour and determination.

“Despite their exhaustive efforts, the support of national experts, the application of the very latest forensic techniques to exhibits recovered many years ago, and despite the team tracing and speaking to many people who did not come forward in the first enquiry, we have sadly not been able to find that crucial piece of information.

“A total of nine people were arrested or interviewed under caution during the course of the review, and in the summer of 2014, in early 2015 and in December 2015, we submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to a number of individuals.

“The CPS concluded we had gathered insufficient evidence to be able to bring any charges against those people.

“I want to pay public tribute to Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn who has led this review from its outset. This case is an extremely challenging and complex one, and he and his team have been utterly professional, extremely thorough and steadfast in their determination to find that one vital piece of information that would help solve this case.

“It is not for the want of trying that a breakthrough has not yet come, but rather the result of the continuing refusal of those who know what happened to Claudia to come forward and tell us the truth.

“The case will not be closed until those responsible for Claudia’s disappearance and, we believe, her murder, are brought to justice. Whilst the current review team will and has been scaled down, the new Cleveland and North Yorkshire cold case dedicated team will still have responsibility to review any information that is considered relevant.

“Disappointing news though this is for Claudia’s family, we have not given up hope, and I do believe that one day we will be able to tell them what happened to Claudia.”

The last confirmed contact anyone had with the 35-year-old University of York chef was when she spoke to her mother Joan on the phone just after 8pm on Wednesday, 18^th March 2009. Claudia failed to attend work the following day and was reported missing on the Friday.

There is nothing in the manner of her text messages or from her phone billing that indicated she was going to do anything other than attend work the following morning.

The review of the original investigation began in the autumn of 2013.

Led by Det Supt Malyn, the team was made up of experienced staff and senior detectives from North Yorkshire Police, with other regional forces and national agencies providing peer support when required. They have also been supported by experts in a number of different fields.

Among many other lines of enquiry, the team:

• Reviewed a large amount of CCTV from local council systems, private premises and buses that was seized by the original team. This, for instance, led to the image of the man in Limes Court being found that Det Supt Malyn and his team consider very relevant
• Assessed and analysed other “passive” data, including mobile phone records
• Conducted extensive checks on Claudia’s finances
• Undertook comprehensive forensic investigations in Claudia’s house and other buildings, on open land, on DNA samples, in cars, garages, and notably on many fingerprint marks. This work included the use of sniffer dogs, ground penetrating radar, the analysis of aerial photography, and the use of geologists and archaeologists
• A review of exhibits seized and fingerprints lifted throughout the investigation was a key piece of work, and more than 4,100 exhibits and over 400 fingerprints have been reviewed
• Produced the North Yorkshire Police microsite dedicated to appeal points and information about the Claudia Lawrence investigation and the use of electronic appeal boards
• Dealt with 7,183 nominals who have come into the enquiry
• Seized 4,114 exhibits
• Raised 8,077 actions
• Taken 2,517 statements with a further 3,815 officers’ reports
• Received 457 messages and recorded another 678 transmissions (emails)
• In total, 627 police officers and staff have played some role or other during the investigation

No crime scene has ever been identified and based upon the forensic work undertaken and in the view of experts, it does not appear that Claudia was subjected to a violent attack in her home involving the loss of blood.

Unusually, Claudia did not have a computer, did not access the internet via her phone and did not have a social media presence. Those facts precluded extensive investigative opportunities that normally feature in most missing person cases.

During the review the team focused on a number of people who – for different reasons – came to attention. Their movements at the time of Claudia’s disappearance needed to be established in order to either eliminate or implicate them in the case.

This work involved interviews, house searches, review of telephone activity, and speaking with other witnesses to clarify their movements and other work.

In total, 159 people were fully reviewed.

The eye-witness sightings of an unknown man and a woman spotted arguing near Claudia’s house remain inconclusive, but an unknown man seen on CCTV footage near Claudia’s home around the time she disappeared remains of very significant interest. Despite extensive enquiries and media appeals, it has not been possible to identify this individual.

Det Supt Malyn said: “With the exception of one outstanding piece of work relating to DNA profiling, we have now completed all the work we set out to do and in accordance with the terms of reference set for the review.

“I acknowledge how sad Claudia’s parents and sister feel that we have been unable to give them the answers they want, and everyone in the team shares their frustration.

“We have worked tirelessly for three years and we are sorry that we have not been able to prove what happened to Claudia, or to find her.

“It remains the case that people close to Claudia have not always been entirely truthful with us and have withheld information. And this has made our task extremely difficult.

“The review team will now be reduced in line with the reduced demand, but the investigation will always remain open – and regularly reviewed – until Claudia is found and those responsible for her disappearance and murder are brought to justice.”

 

Familial DNA forensic investigation work completed

Update 8 November 2018

Familial DNA forensic investigation work has now been completed in relation to the Claudia Lawrence investigation review.

This has taken longer than first anticipated due to the amount of research and analytical work undertaken by a small team when trying to identify people they require elimination DNA from as part of the familial DNA process.

It has involved travelling around the UK to try and obtain DNA by consent from people who have similar DNA profiles to the unidentified samples recovered during the investigation.

There has also been work done to reconstruct Claudia’s DNA from various sources for elimination purposes.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, the senior investigating officer in the case and Head of the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Major Investigation Team, said: “While these enquiries have been worthwhile and necessary to the investigation, they concluded without identifying a possible suspect or suspects from the DNA analysis.

“However, it demonstrates that we will continue to use forensic and other investigative work to progress this review.”

Det Supt Malyn added: “This is naturally very frustrating for the investigation team and our thoughts are very much with Claudia’s family who remain desperate for a breakthrough. The family have been updated about the completion of this work.

“As I have said before, the investigation will always remain open and we still receive information on a weekly basis that requires assessment and follow-up.

“People who have still yet to come forward who have visited Claudia’s house or been in her car for any reason, should still do so in the confidence that we can eliminate them against the outstanding DNA profiles.”

 

Reporting information

If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room quoting “Claudia Lawrence”.

If you would prefer to remain anonymous, please pass information to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting “Claudia Lawrence, North Yorkshire Police”. A report can also be made online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.