‘We are determined to achieve justice for Claudia’ – Police issue anniversary update
“We are still as determined as ever to achieve justice for Claudia.”
The words of the police on the 17th anniversary of the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence.
Claudia was last seen and heard from on 18 March 2009. She was reported missing on 20 March, and five weeks later, North Yorkshire Police announced that the case was being treated as a suspected murder.
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Claudia worked as a chef at the University of York and lived on Heworth Road.
Police have long believed that some people in the city know what happened to her but a conspiracy of silence has prevented justice being done.
Reflecting on the anniversary of Claudia’s disappearance, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Jon Sygrove said: “It is difficult to comprehend the long ordeal that Claudia’s family have faced, and my thoughts are with them.
“But despite the passage of time, we are still as determined as ever to achieve justice for Claudia.
Forensic officers enter the home of Claudia Lawrence in October 2013. Photograph: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
“I believe the answers that Claudia’s loved-ones deserve will come from the individuals who know, or think they know, what happened to her.
“They have carried this knowledge for 17 years, and witnessed the profound pain experienced by Claudia’s family. Today I urge them: come forward and speak to us now. It is never too late to do the right thing.”
Although the investigation has been in a reactive phase since 2017, every single new piece of information we receive is checked and evaluated against the substantial volume of evidence already gathered throughout our enquiries. If new information emerges that leads to a meaningful line of enquiry, we will pursue it decisively.
Anyone with information that could assist the investigation can make a report via the North Yorkshire Police website or by calling 101 and pass details to the Force Control Room.