Detective in charge of Claudia Lawrence inquiry makes Christmas appeal for information (From York Press)

Detective in charge of Claudia Lawrence inquiry makes Christmas appeal for information

12:19pm Monday 21st December 2009 in

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THE detective leading the investigation into the suspected murder of York chef Claudia Lawrence says he is considering the possibility she has come to harm at the hands of a complete stranger.

Speaking at a press conference, Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway also revealed that when Claudia’s mobile phone detached from the network shortly after noon on March 19, it was within the area of York that includes her home and route to work.

He appealed for anybody who had seen anything unusual along that route – even if it was after she went missing – to get in touch.

The 35-year-old, who has not been seen since March 18, was due to walk to work at the University of York from her home in Heworth Road on the morning of March 19 – but never arrived for the start of her 6am shift.

Det Supt Galloway said: “The primary focus has been on the fact we think Claudia went with someone she knew or trusted.

“But there is also the scenario that she was taken by someone she didn’t know – a stranger.

“I would appeal to anyone who lives along the route or who passes by on occasion to let me know if they have seen anything suspicious or been subject to an occasion that caused them concern.

“Maybe a lone woman was approached by a man in a car, or somebody walking a dog has seen something suspicious.

“Even if it occurred after Claudia disappeared it might be relevant to me. Please, because it is Christmas, pick up the phone.

“Remember there is a £10,000 reward for any person who gives us the information that leads to a conviction.”

Det Supt Galloway said it would have been “incredibly unusual” for Claudia’s mobile phone to run out of battery in the middle of a day and it was more likely that somebody switched it off when it detached from the network at 12.08pm on March 19.

He said: “Claudia’s mobile phone is critical to her. She had no landline and no laptop.

“When it detached from the network it either powered down or more probably was switched off. We need to know by whom. It would be very unlikely for that to be Claudia.”

He said when somebody at her workplace tried to contact her at 10am on March 19, she did not answer and it went through to her voicemail.

He said when her phone detached from the network about two hours later, it was in an area that included her home and route to work, but depending on other factors, such as the weather, it could have been in a much wider area.

Det Supt Galloway said: “This time of year we are at Christmas and it's a particularly poignant time of year, it's a family time of year.

“And Claudia's family have now been in some distress not knowing what has happened to their daughter, their friend, their sister, their aunt for some nine months now.

“I would ask people to look at their conscience. If they do have any piece of information that they think could take us forward, please, at this time of year in particular, share it with us.”

If you have information to help the investigation, phone North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 247 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.