CLAUDIA Lawrence was last seen 16 years ago tomorrow (March 18) and North Yorkshire Police has reiterated its commitment to finding out what happened to the University of York chef.
Claudia was seen on CCTV heading to her home in Heworth from the university on Tuesday, March 18, 2009. It was the last sighting of her. Three days later, North Yorkshire Police released a missing person appeal.
Five weeks after her disappearance, the force announced that the enquiry was now a suspected murder investigation.
Claudia, who would now be 51, has been the subject of North Yorkshire Police's largest ever missing person investigation.
Ahead of the anniversary of her disappearance, senior investigating officer, Detective Chief Inspector Jon Sygrove, said: "My thoughts remain with Claudia’s mother and wider family. I cannot begin to understand the distress her mother has endured over the past 16 years, but I can reiterate our commitment to finding out what happened to Claudia.
"As we have stated many times, the barrier to unlocking the answers for Claudia’s loved ones are the people who know or may suspect what happened to Claudia.
"There may be many reasons as to why they have been unable to come forward, and I repeat our plea to them after 16 years of living with this knowledge and seeing the pain Claudia’s loved ones have gone through, to please do the right thing and make a report."
North Yorkshire Police insisted that the case has not been closed since 2009.
"It is never too late to come forward," DCI Sygrove said.
"Whilst the inquiry has been in a ‘reactive phase’ since 2017, to be clear, the investigation is not closed.
"If a specific line of enquiry is developed from receipt of new information, and grows in significance, we will take decisive action, as we did when extensively searching the gravel pits at Sand Hutton in August 2021.
"Every new piece of information is carefully assessed against the significant volumes of material that has been gathered over the full course of the investigation.
"North Yorkshire Police will never give up on the search for the truth. Next to Claudia’s family, there is no-one who wants justice for her loved ones more than North Yorkshire Police.
"If you know something that could help us find Claudia, or those involved in her disappearance and suspected murder, I urge you to come forward now."
How to help
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101 and pass details to the Force Control Room.
Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their Anonymous Online Form at www.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.
The appeal for information is also available on the Major Incident Public Portal.
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