Claudia Lawrence murder suspect arrested

Claudia Lawrence murder suspect arrested
York man, 59, has car seized and faces forensic examination and questioning by police over chef's disappearance in 2009



Police investigating the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence more than five years ago have arrested a 59-year-old man from York on suspicion of murder.

In a statement, North Yorkshire police said forensic examinations and searches were being conducted and a car had been seized as part of its inquiries.

The force said further arrests could not be ruled out. But it stressed that Lawrence had not been found since she went missing in York in March 2009, aged 35. Her family have been notified of the arrest and are being supported by trained officers.

Lawrence was reported missing by her father, Peter, on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at around 3.05pm on 18 March, walking back towards her home, and that night she spoke to both her parents on the phone.

Her family believe something happened to her after she left for work as a chef early on 19 March.

The arrest, the first in the case, comes after police announced new leads following a review into the investigation launched last year.

The new investigation team, led by DS Dai Malyn, conducted a detailed re-examination of Lawrence's home in the Heworth area of York.

In March, police said that fingerprints of people who had still not come forward were discovered at her house. They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in the university chef's Vauxhall Corsa. The announcements coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch on the fifth anniversary of her disappearance.

Detectives believe Lawrence was murdered. Lawrence's mobile and rucksack have never been found.

Peter Lawrence has led a five-year campaign to find his daughter. At the anniversary in March, he described the torture his family had suffered through five years of not knowing her fate.

One of the missing chef's friends, Jen King, said the arrest showed detectives were making progress. She told the York newspaper, The Press: "If it goes somewhere that's great but if not it shows the investigation is ongoing.

"It's a step towards this one day being resolved."

Lawrence's father told The Press: "I'm very pleased they appear to be making progress by making this arrest."

Police are searching a house on Burnholme Grove, in York. The run-down semi is about half a mile from Lawrence's house.

A police van was parked outside the property and a number of forensic science officer could be seen inside in white overalls.

The house, which has a drive and pebbled front garden, is about half-way down a quiet cul-de-sac

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/may/13/claudia-lawrence-murder-suspect-arrested-york

Her mother was on TV on the 5th anniversary of her disappearance, I wonder if someone came forward with info after that.

That's been a long time coming!
Let's hope that it transpires that they have the right man and this family can get some closure.

eddie wrote:That's been a long time coming!
Let's hope that it transpires that they have the right man and this family can get some closure.

Saw on the news they were using some sort of xray machine on a concrete patio he had built in his garden.

Sassy wrote:

eddie wrote:That's been a long time coming!
Let's hope that it transpires that they have the right man and this family can get some closure.

Saw on the news they were using some sort of xray machine on a concrete patio he had built in his garden.

  I bet the parents are feeling so anxious tonight and for the next few days.

eddie wrote:

Sassy wrote:

Saw on the news they were using some sort of xray machine on a concrete patio he had built in his garden.

  I bet the parents are feeling so anxious tonight and for the next few days.

They must be feeling terrible, wanting and answer but hoping the police are wrong and she might still be alive, twixt the devil and the deep blue sea, poor things.

Sassy wrote:

eddie wrote:

  I bet the parents are feeling so anxious tonight and for the next few days.

They must be feeling terrible, wanting and answer but hoping the police are wrong and she might still be alive, twixt the devil and the deep blue sea, poor things.

God yes. Hoping for an end to the torment but not wanting to know too.
I wish them peace I really do. I simply cannot imagine a worse pain.

eddie wrote:

Sassy wrote:

They must be feeling terrible, wanting and answer but hoping the police are wrong and she might still be alive, twixt the devil and the deep blue sea, poor things.

God yes. Hoping for an end to the torment but not wanting to know too.
I wish them peace I really do. I simply cannot imagine a worse pain.

Snap.