Claudia Lawrence: Joan Lawrence urges the police to question the killer

The mother of missing Claudia Lawrence has urged police to reconsider the case of a convicted murderer as part of their investigation.

Claudia, who worked at the University of York, disappeared 14 years ago today.

The 35-year-old chef was due to start work at 6am, a 45-minute walk from her home in Heworth, but never showed up.

Police believe Claudia was murdered, but despite extensive investigations, a body has never been found.

Her mother Joan said a recent spate of new Witnesses coming forward “can’t just be a coincidence”.

She has urged police to re-investigate the case of Christopher Halliwell, a former Swindon taxi driver.

He murdered 20-year-old Becky Godden-Edwards in 2003 and 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan in 2011.

Speaking from her home in Malton, North Yorkshire, Joan told the Mirror: “So many witnesses mention the ‘piercing blue eyes’. It just feels like we’re all missing something.

“Surely the police should look at this again?”

There are also disturbing similarities between the date Claudia was reported missing, March 19, and Halliwell.

Joan continued, “I think one of his girlfriends left him on the date and it’s the day he kidnapped Sian in 2011.

“I’m afraid the police dismissed it without a thorough investigation.”

A “treasure chest” containing items belonging to Halliwell was also found in a lake in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, in 2014.

Joan has asked for the opportunity to see the items as she “might recognize something about Claudia that could be vital”.

North Yorkshire Police released a new statement this morning, urging everyone to come forward with information.

The statement read: “On the 14th anniversary of the disappearance and alleged murder of Claudia Lawrence in York, our thoughts remain with Claudia’s loved ones at this very difficult and poignant time of the year.

“Claudia’s family, friends and the general public can rest assured that any new information will be carefully and thoroughly reviewed by the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Police Cold Case Review Unit.

“All information deemed credible and capable of development will be considered. This will hopefully be demonstrated by the increased police activity that took place in late 2021.

“While the investigation remains reactive, North Yorkshire Police are committed to providing the answers needed by those closest to Claudia.

“We are again reaching out to the public to support us in our ongoing efforts to find those answers.”

Earlier, sources close to the investigation revealed that Claudia’s Samsung D900 phone was connected to a pole next to York University, where she works, when her manager called at 10am on March 19.

The evidence supports the police theory that she was killed by someone close to her.

Two hours after her manager called, phone records showed her phone was off.

Claudia’s father Peter died in February at the age of 74 without knowing what happened to his daughter.

In his very first public appeal, he said: “I do not believe that she was kidnapped in the sense of an eviction.

“That would be quite difficult, even with a little girl like Claudia, because she would be kicking and yelling and yelling, but there’s always a chance that someone she vaguely knows offered to take her.”

Despite her public disappearance, Joan recently revealed that letters are sent to Claudia’s cottage several times a year asking for a license fee to be paid.

The 79-year-old continues to run her daughter’s former home alone after her ex-husband Peter died in 2021 at the age of 74.

She runs there every two weeks from Malton, North Yorkshire.

“Recently a letter came out threatening a £1,000 fine if the license is not paid. It’s incredible,’ she said.

“I wrote to tell them what happened and I want the police to sort it out, but the letters keep coming.”

The BBC later apologized for the problem.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101, selecting Option 1 and providing details to the Force Control Room.

Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal information is collected, information cannot be traced or recorded, and you will not go to court.

Please quote “Claudia Lawrence” when providing details.

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