Claudia Lawrence investigation

Claudia Lawrence

Claudia Lawrence has been missing since Wednesday 18 March 2009. Described by family and friends as sociable and always on the phone, her disappearance is completely out of character and police believe that it is likely she has come to harm. They are now treating her case as a suspected murder investigation.

That Wednesday, Claudia finished her shift at York University's Galleria restaurant as usual at 2.15pm and set off to walk the three miles home. She was captured by CCTV around 2.30pm.

That evening Claudia spoke to her mother and father on the phone and was in good spirits. It sounded to Claudia's mum like she was at home, as the TV was on in the background. She sent her last text message a few minutes later to a friend to organise a drink later that week.

Police have no record of Claudia after this time.

Police believe that she left for work as normal on Thursday 19th March 2009. She was due in at 6am but didn't turn up and was not caught on local CCTV cameras. A light blue, Karrimor rucksack containing Claudia's chef whites and her Samsung D900 mobile phone are both missing, but her handbag and purse remain at home.

There are two possible witness sightings of Claudia on the mornings of the 18th March and 19th March 2009.

At 5.35am on Wednesday 18th March 2009 a passing cyclist saw a woman matching Claudia's description talking to a man on Melrosegate Bridge. He was wearing a dark, hooded sweatshirt with the hood up and dark combat trousers with pockets. He was smoking with his left hand.

At around 6am on Thursday 19th March 2009, another witness saw a couple arguing on University Road, next to a car with the passenger door open. The man was wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, but police don't know his vehicle type or registration number.

Police think it's highly unlikely Claudia has been abducted by a stranger, and believe that she has gone with someone she knows and feels safe with. They are appealing for information about any relationships she may have been involved in recently.

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

Claudia's last known movements:

8 March 2009

2.15pm - Left work at York University in Heslington to walk the three miles home.

2.30pm - Captured on CCTV walking home.

8.10pm - Spoke to parents on the phone. They had a conversation about a television programme they were both watching. It's believed Claudia was at home, but police cannot rule out that she was watching TV elsewhere.

8.23pm - Claudia sent her last text message to a friend arranging a meeting later that week.

9.12pm - Last text message received by Claudia's phone. It's not known if this was read.

19 March 2009

6am - Claudia failed to turn up for work and was reported missing to the police. She was not picked up on any CCTV that morning.

12pm – Claudia’s mobile phone powers down. It could have run out of battery or been turned off.

• Police have built up a comprehensive picture of Claudia and her lifestyle but there are still aspects of her life that her family, friends and workmates were unaware of and police still need help filling in the gaps. If you know anything about Claudia's relationships police need you to share that information. They may think they are protecting Claudia but instead they may be protecting the person who harmed her.

• Have you seen a blue Karrimor rucksack or her phone, a Samsung D900?

• Did you see a man and a woman together at 5.35am on Melrosegate Bridge on 18th March 2009? The man was wearing a dark hoodie and dark coloured combat trousers, and smoking with his left hand.

• Did you see a couple having an argument on University Road, next to York University, between 6.05am and 6.15am on 19 March 2009? There was a car parked on the other side of the road with the passenger door wide open, and the man may have been wearing a dark hoodie.

BBC News - Claudia search team gets 60 calls

North Yorkshire police

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