‘We may have quizzed Claudia Lawrence’s killer’

THE detective leading the hunt for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence thinks police may have already interviewed her killer.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway said Claudia’s disappearance, two years ago today, haunted him every day and vowed never to give up trying to crack the case.

He said the suspected murder investigation had been “incredibly tough and complex” and would stay with him for the rest of his life.

Det Supt Galloway said there was no doubt in his mind that Claudia, who was 35 when she vanished, had been murdered, saying: “There is no proof of life of Claudia.”

He said: “It would be the best present if Claudia were to walk through the door, but I think that is highly unlikely.

“The investigation haunts me. I think about Claudia and the investigation day in, day out – from a professional and personal perspective, it is something that will live with me.

“It haunts me that we have not been able to find Claudia’s killer and I won’t rest until it is resolved.

“I have worked closely with Claudia’s family and the greater community because until Claudia’s killer is brought to justice, there is a danger and we want to resolve that.”

Det Supt Galloway said a lot of people had been interviewed in connection with the inquiry and some would never be eliminated from it.

He said: “There is a real possibility we have interviewed her killer”.

But he also said vital pieces of information were still needed to “significantly help the ongoing investigation”.

“Somebody, somewhere knows something,” he said.

“My key appeal is the fact that, in my experience, anybody involved in the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence will have most certainly spoken about it to somebody. I would appeal to that person to get in touch with us to allow us to make significant progress in this investigation.”

Claudia was last seen walking from the university to her Heworth home on March 18, 2009. She did not turn up for work the next day, sparking a massive police search.

She did not have her passport, spare clothes or bank cards with her when she disappeared; only her mobile phone and the small rucksack she used to carry her chef’s whites to work.

As her family and friends marked the second anniversary of her disappearance today, Det Supt Galloway urged anybody with information to realise the agony it has caused, and to search their conscience.

He said: “Claudia’s disappearance has caused untold heartache to everyone who knew and loved her and our thoughts are with them on this, the second anniversary of her disappearance,” he said.

“We have not given up on this case, nor will we.”

For anybody withholding information, he said: “Nothing could be simpler than to put an end to all this pain for the Lawrence family and the pressure and guilt that you must be feeling.

“Just make that call. That’s all it would take.”

He said there were still gaps to fill in Claudia’s life, in which she kept secrets from her family and friends. He said that while her social life was primarily based around her local pub, the Nag’s Head in Heworth, and friends and colleagues from her previous job at the Monkbar Hotel, there were elements she still hid from those close to her.

“We are not disheartened,” said Det Supt Galloway. “It is an incredibly tough challenge, but a challenge we can handle. However, we do need help. We have a not-quite comprehensive view of Claudia – we need people to help us complete that.”

Police are still particularly keen to determine whether Claudia went missing on March 18 or the early hours of the next day.

Anyone with information can phone 0845 6060247, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.




Public praised for support
DETECTIVE Superintendent Ray Galloway praised the public for their continued support in the hunt for missing York chef Claudia Lawrence.

He said: “I am amazed by the fact that the public interest and support is undiminished.

“If you saw my mailbox on a daily basis or the letters I receive every single day, without exception, you would be amazed.”

He said contacts had included psychics or mediums offering opinions on the case, while others offered potential leads which had been investigated. But there had yet to be a significant lead.

Det Supt Galloway said police had received thousands of calls and officers had investigated possible sightings in London and connections in Corfu and Ireland, all which had proved fruitless.

There are now no dedicated officers in the hunt for Claudia, but he said he had officers at his disposal to investigate any leads. There were 100 officers dedicated to the search at its height, and the investigation has now cost more than £750,000.




Inquiry is defended
POLICE have defended their decision to extensively investigate Claudia’s love life in the face of criticism from her mother.

Joan Lawrence said on ITV’s Daybreak show this week there had been mistakes in the investigation, particularly surrounding inquiries into Claudia’s “complex and mysterious” relationships and her past boyfriends.

But Det Supt Ray Galloway said external investigators brought in at the request of the force had stood by North Yorkshire Police’s analysis of her love life. “In fact, they said we should concentrate on it more,” he said.

He said in at least 80 per cent of female homicides, the victim knew or had had a relationship with the killer, and he believed Claudia would have recognised her attacker.

He said he was not surprised by Crimestoppers’ recent decision to remove the £10,000 reward, and praised it for its long-standing support.