Claudia Lawrence’s case could still be solved as ex police inspector reveals 3 key details
A FORMER cop has revealed why he believes Claudia Lawrence’s mysterious disappearance could still be solved.
Chef Claudia, 35, vanished 14 years ago near her home in Heworth, York.
Although her body has never been found, North Yorkshire Police have been treating her disappearance as a murder investigation.
Despite a string of theories over the years – including fears Claudia may have been trafficked to Amsterdam or moved to Cyprus – her disappearance remains a mystery.
Now a former police inspector has told why he believes the case could be solved as he revealed key details.
Martin Holleran told Vanished: The Search For Britain’s Missing on Channel 5 how Claudia’s last sighting on March 18, 2009, could be premature.
He said: “Because there was no damage in the house, because the backpack was taken with her normal working clothes, I think the reality is, it’s happened on the Thursday morning as opposed to the Wednesday night.
“My hypothesis, having looked at what’s available, would suggest that somebody has picked her up on the Thursday morning.”
Mr Holleran, now a visiting lecturer at Leeds Trinity University, also revealed crucial clues to back his theory.
He continued: “What’s very interesting as well, is that a witness later came forward to say that they’d seen a male and female arguing by a car, at ten past six in the morning on Thursday 19th. And the passenger door was open.
“I think there could be a great deal of significance in that because it was in the right location, Claudia should’ve been in work at six o’clock. It was ten past six. that could be a very significant piece of evidence.
“The police have recognised that unless information comes in to them. There are very little avenues of investigation left open to them.
“I think there is somebody out there who does know something. I think there is somebody out there who’s still got information, and I think this case could still be resolved.”
Claudia was last seen after she finished work at the University of York’s Goodricke College on the evening of March 18.
The alarm was raised two days later by her dad Peter after friends said they had not heard from her.
Hundreds of officers were initially involved the search, which has cost more than £1.5million, but the probe has been scaled back over the years.
Nine people have been arrested or interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation.
Police have also submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.
As part of the investigation, officers probed her past, her relationships and her work life in a desperate bid to find her.
At one point, detectives believed she had been with 12 lovers over five years – including some who were married.
In 2019 – ten years after Claudia vanished – the cold case investigation looked into whether convicted killer Christopher Halliwell was involved.
Halliwell is currently serving life in jail for killing Sian O’Callaghan, 22, and 20-year-old Becky Godden.
But officers revealed earlier this year it is “unlikely” the monster is connected to the disappearance.
Tragically, Claudia’s dad died in February 2021 without ever finding out what happened to his daughter.
Her mum Joan has never given up hope her daughter is alive.
Speaking in 2019, she said: As her mum, I feel no cut-off. I can’t believe she is dead.
“I am never, ever giving up hope. Someone knows the truth and I just wish they’d end this torture by telling me.”