‘Significant' new lead in Claudia Lawrence inquiry: York
(YO31 - Thursday, 16 April, 2009)

Detectives are appealing for information about a man and woman who were seen arguing outside the University of York at about 6.10am on Thursday 19 March - around the time missing chef Claudia Lawrence was due start her shift at the university.

The new lead has only just been passed to the investigation team by a member of the public who recalled seeing a man and woman arguing while standing near to an unknown parked vehicle on University Road, near to York University.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, the senior investigating officer in the Claudia Lawrence inquiry, said:

"The man and woman appeared to be in some form of verbal altercation.

"We haven't got any description of these two people, but we do know that the vehicle was parked on the nearside of the road and the passenger side door was open."

Det Supt Galloway explained that as the witness drove past the couple, he looked in his mirror and noticed that the man appeared to be standing above the woman, as if he was on some form of banking.

He said:

"It is a significant line of inquiry which we wish to pursue. Were you that person? Were you involved in that vehicle?

"It could have been someone who was just dropping off a friend, a partner, a son or daughter and an argument has taken place. There may be some innocent explanation.

"I'd very much like to identify who these people were and I would appeal for anyone who has such information to come forward and help us out.

"We think this happened at about 6.10am on the 19th March, which is a key morning for us as that would be the time when Claudia was due to turn up for work at the university."

Two Men Seen At Claudia's Door

Det Supt Galloway revealed a second line of inquiry which happened on the afternoon of either 10 March or 13 March.

"The dates are obviously at least five days before Claudia was last seen, but we have a situation of a lady passing by Claudia's home address in very slow moving traffic who has actually seen two men at Claudia's front door.

"One of the men is described as Asian but we don't know the racial origin of the other man.

"They are standing at the door and one of the men, the Asian male, appears to try to open the door.

"Whether it was with a key or he was just trying the door handle, we are not absolutely certain. We obviously need to know who the men are.

"They were watched by the witness for three or four minutes, but we don't know what they were there for.

"Again, it could have been a legitimate reason.

"I am appealing to these people if they were there for a reason, if they were a salesman or for any other reason, please can they come forward or anyone who knows them.

"And if anyone knows if they knocked on any other doors elsewhere along Heworth Road or in the locality, can they please come forward and help us.

"The witness's perception was that he appeared nervous as he stood by the door.

"The only description we have for the second man was that he was taller, had short dark hair, heavier build and he was wearing a crombie-style coat, which is quite unusual.

"We would very much like to speak to these two people."

The Asian man is described as:

• in his early 20s
• about 5ft 8in tall
• slim build
• a thin pointed nose
• dark areas beneath his eyes

           Facebook

Det Supt Galloway also made a general appeal to the thousands of people who have joined the Facebook page set up to support the search for Claudia.

He said:

"There is a significant amount of people who have contributed to that site and some of them are posting what could potentially be important information to the investigation.

"Some of them are by nickname and some are completely anonymous.

"I would urge anyone who has any information that they are imparting on the Facebook site to please contact the police hotline to allow us to contextualise the information and to help take our investigation forward."

Continued appeal for information

The investigation team is still trying to establish Claudia's movements from 8.23pm on Wednesday 18 March when the 35-year-old University of York chef was last in contact with one of her friends, via telephone, from her home on Heworth Road.

Claudia was due to walk the three miles to work on Thursday for a shift beginning at 6am.

But she never turned up, and the last confirmed sighting of her was at about 3.05 pm on Melrosegate, near to the junction with East Parade.

Claudia was walking back towards her home but she had been dropped off at home some 15 minutes earlier, by a colleague.

Therefore, the police are appealing for any information as to where she had been in that 15 minute period.

Despite the ongoing intensive police search effort in and around the Heworth and York University area, including the house-to-house inquiries which have been fully supported by local residents, Claudia's disappearance remains unexplained.

Claudia's mobile phone, a Silver Samsung D900,  and blue Karrimor rucksack (pictured) in which she carried her chef's whites in have still yet to be located.

If anyone can help the investigation, even with just the smallest piece of information, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 60 60 24 7.

Police Force: North Yorkshire

Address:
Melrosegate
York
YORKSHIRE
YO31