25/03/2009

Police Fear Missing Claudia May Have 'Come To Harm'

Police investigating the disappearance of university chef Claudia Lawrence have raised concerns she may have "come to harm". Miss Lawrence, 35, failed to arrive to work at the University of York (pictured) on Thursday, and police fear she has been abducted.

Det Supt Ray Galloway said she had not been in touch with family or friends since 8.30pm last Wednesday.

"I have significant cause for concern [for] her well-being," he said.

Officers have also revealed she was a "prolific texter" but she has not sent a message for several years.

Peter Lawrence, the 35-year-old's father, described the last few days as a "living nightmare".

He said: "There is no reason for Claudia to be missing. She had no reason to go, no problems, no troubles.

"It appears from everything at the house as though she had set off work with her little rucksack and left all the things at her home that she would leave if she was going to work like bank cards, jewellery and everything else."

Miss Lawrence is described as white, around 5ft 6in tall, of slim build, with brown hair and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and trainers.

Miss Lawrence was last seen on Wednesday last week at around 2pm where she left her place of employment, Goodricke College. She was later spotted on CCTV footage as she walked the three-mile route to her home.

The 35-year-old had turned down her mother's offer of money for a taxi before she disappeared.

(JM/BMcC)

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17 April 2009
Body Pulled From York River 'Not Claudia'
A body pulled from a river in York, is not that of missing university chef Claudia Lawrence, it has been confirmed. A body was recovered at Bishopthorpe Bridge, close to where the A64 crosses the river, at 10.50am on Friday, North Yorkshire Police said.
24 April 2009
Crimestoppers Reward Offered In Claudia Search
A £10,000 reward has been offered for information about missing university chef Claudia Lawrence, as Yorkshire Police have announced her disappearance is being treated as suspected murder. The Crimestoppers charity confirmed it had taken the unusual step to offer the "enhanced reward" due to the strong public interest in the case.
31 March 2009
Police Television Appeal For Missing Chef
Detectives investigating the disappearance of a university chef have received some "very interesting calls" it has emerged. Det Supt Ray Galloway, of North Yorkshire Police appeared on BBC1's Crimewatch programme and appealed for the public's help in tracing 35-year-old Claudia Lawrence.
19 March 2014
New DNA Evidence Found In Missing Claudia Lawrence Inquiry
North Yorkshire Police searching for missing Claudia Lawrence who disappeared in 2009 said they have new lines of the inquiry but no prime suspect yet.
29 October 2013
Detectives Review Case Of Missing York Chef Claudia Lawrence
Police are carrying out a review of the investigation into the disappearance of chef Claudia Lawrence, who was last seen on 18 March 2009. A new major crime unit of North Yorkshire Police is reassessing the case and carrying out new forensic work at her home on Heworth Road. Police believe that Miss Lawrence was murdered.