The father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has died without ever finding out if she was murdered. xxx. He is later arrested and cautioned. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Comments have been closed on this article. While I cannot say today at this stage how long the search will take today we do anticipate specialist officers, staff, and underwater search teams and forensic experts are likely to be at this location for a number of days. His barrister said Oxley said attention-seeking and grandiose things after he was arrested to those in authority to misrepresent his own position. Whilst these items are being assessed for their forensic potential, any relevance to Claudias disappearance has not currently been established.". The chef, 35, failed to arrive for work at York University on 18. Mr Lawrence spearheaded a nationwide search for his daughter Claudia, which cost police around 1m over the last decade. April 24 - Detectives say that Miss Lawrence's disappearance is being treated as a suspected murder investigation. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Claudia has been missing for twelve years, The floral tribute was found at a North Yorkshire beauty spot, Officers do not believe that the flowers are of any significance to the investigation, The chef vanished and no one has been charged in connection with her disappearance, North Yorkshire Police drained a lake last year in the search, Claudia's dad Peter died last year withouth knowing what happened to his daughter, a nationwide search for his daughter Claudia, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). "Whilst I am unable to disclose what brought us to this location, I would like to stress that the searches that you will see in coming days are just one of several active lines of inquiry which are currently being investigated and pursued by North Yorkshire Police Major Investigation team in our efforts to establish what happened to Claudia and to identify any person responsible for causing her harm. During the investigation into her disappearance nine people were arrested but none have ever been charged. Please report any comments that break our rules. 24 AugustPolice say they are searching Sand Hutton gravel pits, a popular spot for angling in Sand Hutton, a village eight miles north-east of York. One Sky News journalist stated, "Claudia apparently lived a significant part of her life in secret. Tourism workers claim to remember seeing Lawrence in Cyprus in Paphos in March. [7][8] The two men found the house to be in an orderly state. Claudia Lawrence: Police search lake in Sand Hutton in 2021, A mysterious floral tribute claiming that missing chef Claudia Lawrence is in the water has been found near to a beauty spot, Police drained a lake at Sand Hutton Gravel Pits, near York, in the search for Claudia, Police divers search Sand Hutton Gravel Pits, near York, on August 26, 2021, Kate Garraway says husband Derek would die within three days without expert care, Oil prices hit seven year high as Ukraine-Russia crisis threatens supplies worldwide. The force concentrated ona tennis court-sized areawhere they cut down small trees and appeared to take top soil for testing. On 8 March 2016, the Crown Prosecution Service refused to pursue a case submitted by NYP against four men who had been arrested on suspicion of murder, citing lack of evidence. "I don't know what to think. [37] The NYP complained about a lack of co-operation from witnesses. Police officers met with Lawrence's father at her home later that day. Police in York are searching a flooded quarry for the remains of Claudia Lawrence, who went missing in 2009. All rights reserved. Despite numerous appeals, searches, arrests and interviews, Claudia Lawrence's case remains unsolved, The staff involved in the search will be highly experienced, according to a forensics expert, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry. She has not been seen or heard from since. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. [6] The general finding which emerged from the original enquiry was that Lawrence had probably been abducted and murdered shortly after leaving home on 19 March. For other inquiries, Contact Us. March 18 - Claudia finishes work at 2.30pm and is given a lift home to Heworth Road at around 2.50pm. Ms Lawrence has been missing for 10 years having . The message was found by a member of the public late last month and could provide clues as to the whereabouts of the chef who was last seen 13 years ago. Police today revealed they are searching Sand Hutton gravel pits in York - around seven miles from where Claudia was last seen. Lawrence's father was a prosperous solicitor. He died aged 74 in St Leonards Hospice, not knowing what happened to his daughter, after suffering from a short illness. Claudias dad, Peter Lawrence OBE, passed away last year after campaigning for years to get justice for his daughter. Their main task, she said, would be to decide upon the relevance of any recovered items, and to ask: "What do you send for testing and what questions are you then actually answering?". AprilAmendments to guardianship legislation, known as Claudias law, are approved by the House of Lords, following campaigning by Peter Lawrence and Missing People. She is seen again at 3.05pm and a reported sighting is made of her dropping a letter in a post box. ", Joan added: "I have been waiting for closure for a long time but I remain in the dark about what has sparked this investigation and it's obviously a very distressing time.". March 23 - A man in his 50s is arrested on suspicion of murdering Miss Lawrence and is released on police bail the following day. Cooper telephoned Claudia's father Peter on 20 March to report the situation. Claudia Lawrence was last seen on 18 March 2009 and reported missing a day later. He said: "It could be interpreted in all sorts of ways. February - Claudia's dad Peter dies without ever discovering what happened to his daughter, March - A fresh appeal is launched on the 12th anniversary of her disappearance, August 24 - Police confirm they are searching the gravel pits at Sand Hutton. Although the police have treated Lawrence's case as that of murder, with various people arrested but later released, her fate is unclear. Det Supt Fox, who took over as senior investigating officer in the case earlier this year, said: "Our focus is on finding Claudia and bringing those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder to justice.". An appeal for help was made by John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York. All rights reserved. 2023 BBC. They fell out with her family after suggesting the answer might lie in Claudias complex private life. The Bill, which came into force in July 2019, allows the family of a missing person to apply to the court for guardianship of that person's estate 90 days after the disappearance. The chef, 35, failed to arrive for work at York University on 18 March 2009. Detective Superintendent Wayne Fox explained: "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. Claudia hasn't been heard from since she called her mum Joan on the evening of March 17, 2009. Her mother was a member of Malton Town Council and served a term as mayor of the town. Campaigners say this is a huge step forward in recognising the responsibilities placed on relatives when someone disappears and the current legal difficulties in obtaining permission to act on their behalf. Colin Sutton, a former detective chief inspector with the Metropolitan Police, told the BBC he believed they would be acting upon some sort of tip-off. No-one has heard from Ms Lawrence since she called her mother Joan on the evening of 17 March 2009. Is climate change killing Australian wine? Ms Lawrence's father, Peter, died earlier this year without knowing what happened to his daughter. Police believe she was murdered despite her body never being found. "Information is going to find the answers here. They all denied any involvement in Lawrence's disappearance. [49][50] In regard to Halliwell's possible involvement Lawrence's mother stated "The police may not have proved he had anything to do with my daughters disappearance, but they havent disproved it either". Police suspected she had 12 lovers in five years. [23] On 24 March 2010, NYP began searching areas of Heslington in York, based on new information received "in the last few days". The Lawrence family statement said: Despite Peters death, the message remains the same where is Claudia? They ask that anyone with any information contact North Yorkshire police on 101. Mr Dales said a member of the public had found the floral tribute at a beauty spot on January 28. But a friend later said Claudia had dozens of lovers and targeted married men. Cops have also submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges. The investigation was scaled down in 2017, leaving her father hugely disappointed and depressed. Her phone is deliberately turned off at about 12.10pm. During those investigations, specialist officers conducted a fingertip examination of the site, eight miles from Claudia's home. Her manager called her mobile phone number but although the phone rang, the call was directed to voice messaging. CLAUDIA Lawrence's mum says she feels "churned up inside" as cops search gravel pits for her daughter 12 years after she went missing. October - Claudia's mum slammed the peanuts 40,000 budget to probe murder suspect Christopher Halliwell. In recent years. Her disappearance on her way to work at York University in 2009 has become one of the UK's most notorious cold cases. Ms Lawrence's mother Joan said she had been "utterly shocked" by the latest development. While the exact location hasn't been revealed, it's understood the tribute wasn't discovered at Sand Hutton gravel pits, near York, where investigations took place last September. [40][41] Police drained one of the lakes on site to allow a fingertip examination of the lake's bed. Lawrence's handbag containing her purse, bank cards and passport was in the house. A small number of items were recovered during the two-week operation in September, but nothing of any major significance was believed to have been found. If you are dissatisfied with the response provided you can Unless we get information or intelligence to suggest that Claudia came to harm as a result of an opportunity taken by someone unconnected to her, me and the team still strongly believe the answer lies locally.. [28] In July 2013, NYP said the unit would assess several "stalled" cases when it opened in October, including Lawrence's disappearance. He declined to reveal the location of the beauty spot but indicated it was not at the gravel pits near Sand Hutton which were searched by North Yorkshire Police last year, with nothing of significance found. The note also had two pointing arrows drawn on it, but police have claimed that the person who left the item is known to them and there are no links to the ongoing search. Police investigating the disappearance of York University chef Claudia Lawrence have begun a new search in gravel pits eight miles from her home, 12 years after she went missing. Anna Chaussee, a senior lecturer in forensics at Winchester University, said those involved in the searches would be highly experienced officers with specialist training. This indicates that the phone itself did not leave the local area. Harris stated that Lawrence had been a customer at his pub in the weeks before her disappearance and he had spoken to her, but stated that was his only connection with her. "I don't know what to think. | ITV National News The 35-year-old was witnessed walking. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's The note also had two pointing arrows drawn on it, but police have claimed that the person who left the item is known to them and there are no links to the ongoing search. Searches focused on the route between her home on Heworth Road and the University of York but turned up no clues. For a privately educated daughter of a country solicitor, Claudia had some unusual acquaintances and this remains the only missing person case where I have been warned off or threatened not once but twice". DETECTIVES investigating the death of missing Claudia Lawrence have been handed a floral tribute claiming that she is "in the water" of a beauty spot. Chef Claudia, 35, was last seen on the evening of March 18, 2009, close to her home in Heworth, Yorks. Police in York are searching a flooded quarry for the remains of Claudia Lawrence, who went missing in 2009. Claudia Lawrence was last heard from in 2009 and although police believe she was murdered, no body has ever been found. Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Claudia Lawrence was born in Malton, North Yorkshire in 1974. The search was reportedly prompted by new evidence although police would not state what that new evidence was. BBCapologises to mother of missing woman over licence fee letters, Claudia Lawrences mother appeals for help 13 years after disappearance, Claudia Lawrence: police find no new clues in lake search, Police search quarry near York for Claudia Lawrence remains, Claudia Lawrence: timeline of her disappearance, Claudia Lawrence: renewed call for information on woman missing since 2009, Tenyears on, Claudia Lawrence search frustrated by withheld information, Claudia Lawrence case fits behaviour pattern of Christopher Halliwell. September 17 - A file of evidence on four men arrested on suspicion of murder is sent by North Yorkshire Police to the Crown Prosecution service (CPS) so it can consider whether to bring charges. Detectives have previously said they "strongly suspect key and vital information" which would offer a breakthrough was being "withheld" and that the answer to her disappearance lies "locally". Claudia Lawrence disappeared from York seven years ago "It has been an ongoing nightmare, particularly for parents Joan and Peter and sister Ali, as they wait for news of her whereabouts. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. The probe has cost more than 1.5million, but the operation has been scaled back over the years. FebruaryFresh searches take place in the alleyway behind Lawrences home in Heworth. The father of the missing chef Claudia Lawrence has died at 74 without learning what happened to his daughter after she disappeared more than a decade ago. Extensive searches take place at the Acomb pub in Kingsway West, including pneumatic drilling to dig up part of the cellar. @megbaynes, Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player. University chef Ms Lawrence was last seen at 15.05 on Wednesday 18 March 2009 walking towards her home on Heworth Road, York. Police said later that they had finished searching the gravel pits and that the searches have yielded no major new clues. It allows relatives to take control of their missing loved ones' financial matters. Its been 12 and a half years and I just need to know what has happened to Claudia. [34] In July 2014, NYP arrested Paul Harris, the landlord of The Acomb pub (since renamed as The Clockhouse pub) in York on suspicion of perverting the course of justice. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. He said: "He asked me to do this - to keep his daughter Claudia's name in public lights and not forgotten by the authorities looking for her. Jo Youle, chief executive of the charity Missing People, with which Mr Lawrence worked closely on Claudia's Law, said: "Our thoughts are with Claudia's family and loved ones as they mark another anniversary that no family wants to go through. "It's been quite a long time since the police has said anything new, because of course if you haven't got the information you haven't got anything new to say really. Pictures from the scene show teams of officers combing through undergrowth, and forensic investigators have been spotted at the site. He was released on police bail the following day[33] and then released from his bail without charge in November of that year. Chef Claudia, 35, was last seen on the evening of March 18 . JulyA 46-year-old man is arrested at a York pub on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection with the Lawrence investigation. [16] Also in June, 100 days after his daughter went missing, Peter Lawrence launched a YouTube appeal for information. A FLORAL tribute to missing York chef Claudia Lawrence has been discovered at a North Yorkshire beauty spot, with an accompanying picture of her and the message: "She is in the waterGod bless her.". The investigation was also dampened by a lack of CCTV around Claudia's home as well as the fact she had no social media profile or smartphone when she vanished. She did not report for duty. Lawrence campaigned for Claudias Law, which established a new legal status of guardian of the affairs of a missing person, allowing families to act in the best interests of a loved one gone for 90 days or longer. Peter Lawrence, 74, passed away on Thursday at St Leonard's Hospice after a short. Mr Dales said: "Despite the exhaustive efforts of Claudia's late father Peter, family, friends and North Yorkshire Police, there are still no answers and it is tragic that Peter has died not knowing what has happened to her. The mystery discovery was made by a member of the public last month at a North Yorkshire beauty spot - just months after they combed gravel pits and drained a lake to crack the 12-year-old case. He complained that the police had excavated a section of the cellar floor of his pub. The date 19 March figures in a number of these cases and this date is believed to have had some significance to Halliwell. Aug 25, 2021. "My own thoughts always come back to that she was probably abducted on her way to work. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. There is also a separate note that says "god bless her" on one side of the page. One such case is the disappearance of Swindon teacher Linda Razzell on 19 March 2002 while walking to work. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, New search shocking - Claudia Lawrence mum, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules'. Photographs of Lawrence are posted all around York, on traffic lights, in shops, on buses and in car windows. [5], Lawrence had holidayed several times in Cyprus, where she was believed to have explored job opportunities. I just have to keep praying and hoping that we get something. [29], The MCU subsequently assessed the Lawrence case and carried out new forensic searches at her home on Heworth Road. Chillingly, the date Claudia vanished is significant to Halliwell, whose former garden in Swindon wasdug up by cops in the search for more victims. JulyThe police investigation is scaled down from more than 100 officers to 16, then seven, after 770,000 was spent on the case. OctoberPolice announce they will be speaking with former partners of Lawrence, after it emerged she had had affairs with married men. The route from her home to place of work was checked at an early stage and no trace of her was found. 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[32] Searches were made of the suspect's house in York and his mother's house in North Shields, Tyneside. [7], The independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers offered a reward of 10,000 to anyone providing information which would lead to the arrest and conviction of any person linked to the disappearance. (modern). During the course of the evening Lawrence spoke to both her father and mother on her mobile phone. He said some of the information received by the force "appears extremely interesting and sparks a whole new line of investigation", and he urged anyone providing this information to get back in touch with as much detail as possible. None wascharged for lack of evidence. Shutterstock. Whilst I am unable to disclose what brought us to this location I would like to stress that the searches you will see in the coming days are just one of several active lines of enquiry which are currently being investigated and pursued by North Yorks Police major investigation team in our efforts to establish what happened to Claudia and to identify any person for causing her harm.". Claudia Lawrence: New police search in gravel pits eight miles from home of missing York University chef. Around 3pm she was recorded on CCTV passing a shop in Melrosegate near her home and was seen by a neighbour. 35-year-old Ms Lawrence was reported missing on March 18 2009 after she failed to turn up for an early morning shift at the University of York. Police officers could be seen searching the undergrowth along a public bridleway through the forest. The disappearance remains unexplained and is now treated by North Yorkshire Police as suspected murder. Nine people have been arrested or questioned as part of the investigation, but no charges have been brought. Claudia, 35, went missing in 2009, and the tribute flowers were attached to a missing photo of the chef alongside a note which reads God bless her, she is in the water.. (modern). Claudia. "Information is going to find the answers here. [19] Galloway also stated that some people who had been interviewed had been "reluctant and less than candid" when spoken to, and that a team of officers had been sent to Cyprus to interview people whom Lawrence met there. Mr Lawrence spearheadeda nationwide search for his daughter Claudiawhich cost police around 1 million over the last decade. He told the BBC that the legislation, which is officially known as the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act 2017, means there is one less burden at a time when families are at their emotional lowest ebb. The car's brake lights come on as it approaches level with Lawrence's cottage. May 6 - Mr Lawrence calls for an urgent independent inquiry into the police investigation of his daughter's disappearance and suspected murder. Nine people have been arrested or interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation. These adverts enable local businesses to get in front of their target audience the local community. The two were reported to have been on friendly terms and he had often given her lifts in his car to and from work. [44] However, Razzell's husband was convicted of her murder and her family have stated that they have no doubt over his guilt and conviction. CLAUDIA Lawrence's mum says she feels "churned up inside" as cops search gravel pits for her daughter 12 years after she went missing. Martin paid tribute to Mr Lawrence, with whom he had enjoyed a 40-year friendship, following the update. No one has heard from Claudia since she called her mother Joan on the evening of March 17, 2009. The father of the missing chef Claudia Lawrence has died at 74 without learning what happened to his daughter after she disappeared more than a decade ago. A picture of the flowers and message were released today by Martin Dales, the friend and former spokesman for Claudia's father Peter, speaking to mark the first anniversary of Peter's death last February. He said: "It could be interpreted in all sorts of ways. [43] At the end of the search detective Wayne Fox, senior investigating officer in the Lawrence case, stated that nothing significant had been found. Nothing of significance is found. "It's the not knowing that's the worst part, it eats into you, the not knowing what's happened. Officers from North Yorkshire Police drained a lake in a bid to discover any evidence that could help crack the case, but left empty-handed. The 35-year-old has not been seen since she failed to turn up for work at the University of York in March 2009. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. Nine people have been questioned in relation to her disappearance and suspected murder but no charges have ever been brought. [7] At this point Cooper became alarmed and contacted mutual acquaintances including George Forman, landlord of The Nag's Head, to obtain information concerning her possible whereabouts. Five people have been arrested and questionedon suspicion of murdering fun-loving Claudia during the 2million hunt. Nine people have been questioned, but no charges have ever been brought. MayAbout 20 officers search a property in the hamlet of Ellerton, approximately 10 miles from York. March 8 - Police say the CPS has decided the four men will not face charges. contact IPSO here, 2001-2023. She seems to have accepted this offer. Detectives soon began to favour this explanation. Mr Lawrence, 74, died last February without ever knowing what happened to Claudia. VideoOn board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, I didnt think make-up was made for black girls, Why there is serious money in kitchen fumes. OctoberForensic officers begin a new search at Lawrences Heworth Road home, lasting several weeks. SeptemberPolice search the biology department of the University of York. Police previously said they strongly suspect the case is being hampered by the withholding of key and vital information. But those concerned were all released and none were charged.[36]. It never goes away. Although that is not critical since she might have passed out of camera view or used a parallel street. "There are no substantive links to the inquiry. [39] The land had been used as fishing ponds since 1969. [4] Lawrence was discreet about this and her family knew little about her relationships with men. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? Martin Dales, a friend of Mr Lawrence, said: "This is the first really concrete thing that's happened since Peter died in February so that in itself is quite a milestone. Police refused to disclose what had drawn them to the Sand Hutton gravel pits but said the search would go on for a number of days. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. I dont know what to think. [26] The search at Heslington was later considered to have been prompted by hoax information.[27]. MarchHoax calls start a four-day search in Heslington following the first anniversary of Lawrences disappearance. Explore in 3D: The dazzling crown that makes a king. She completed her shift at 2pm and was recorded on CCTV leaving the college on foot a few minutes later. Speaking on the 10th anniversary of her disappearance, Det Supt Dai Malyn of North Yorkshire police said: It remains the case that we strongly suspect key and vital information is being withheld that could provide the breakthrough that we all want to see, not least Claudias heartbroken family. The investigation centred around construction of a "rogue's gallery" of the men she had been involved with. Nine people have been questioned over the years in relation to her disappearance. His daughter, a 35-year-old chef at the University of York, was reported missing on 19 March 2009 after she did not show up for her shift that morning. No charges are brought because of lack of evidence. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused. Video, On board the worlds last surviving turntable ferry, Met Gala 2023: Stars celebrate Karl Lagerfeld, Shooting suspect was deported four times - US media, Photo of Princess Charlotte shared as she turns 8, Yellen warns US could run out of cash in a month, King Charles to wear golden robes for Coronation, More than 100 police hurt in French May Day protests, Street piano confiscated as public 'break rules'. An underwater search team searches culverts that form part of the property. 20 MarchHer father, Peter Lawrence, reports her missing. She later attended a local catering college and qualified as a chef. [30] On the fifth anniversary of the disappearance, a new appeal was made on Crimewatch, which aired on 19 March 2014. Despite numerous appeals, searches, arrests and interviews, Claudia Lawrence's case remains unsolved, Peter Lawrence, seen here on the 10th anniversary of his daughter's disappearance, was a retired solicitor.
