UK UK - Claudia Lawrence, 35, Chef, York University, 18 March 2009 #3

[KateB]

Claudia Lawrence

Claudia Lawrence investigation
http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/13147

It is now six years since Claudia Lawrence disappeared without trace in York. Despite the intensive efforts of the police, the resolve of her heart-broken family and saturated media coverage, her sudden disappearance remains a mystery.

North Yorkshire Police's commitment and determination to solve the case and bring closure for Claudia's loved-ones, is undiminished by the passage of time.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, head of the force's enhanced Major Crime Unit, is leading a comprehensive review of the original investigation.

This has been supported by national experts from other forces and agencies, including forensic specialists who recently completed a re-examination of Claudia's home on Heworth Road in York.

As a result of this work, Det Supt Malyn and his team have identified new lines of enquiry and fresh public appeals to pursue, as well as renewed appeals on previous key items of interest to the investigation.

Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Mason, Head of Crime for North Yorkshire Police, said: "The decision to focus and prioritise the efforts of the enhanced Major Crime Unit on this case and undertake a comprehensive review of the original investigation, is producing progressive results which we expect to continue over time."

Use our interactive map to explore these lines of enquiry and CCTV footage from the investigation. Zoom in and click the hotspots for more information:
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?m...053743&spn=0.031564,0.04034&z=14&source=embed
If you have any information that could assist the investigation, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 1, and pass details to the Force Control Room. Please quote "Claudia Lawrence" when passing on details.

The independent charity Crimestoppers has also lent its support by offering a £10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and charge. Callers can remain anonymous.

Please pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting "Claudia Lawrence, North Yorkshire Police". Alternatively, go to www.crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in an Anonymous Online Form.

Timeline: http://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/13193

Thread #1

 

[Pinkizzy]

We need to be real here.NYP will be watching this thread along with the Perps or a plant of Perps. I have already seen evidence of something I posted gaining a reaction so if someone posts something here that is material the police will be into it, which is what we want. But I would caveat that by saying, one should always go to Police first unless there is a good reason for not doing so.

What reaction did you see?

 

[MajorLang]

What reaction did you see?

@Pinkizzy If you read my blog on medium I explain this

 

[Yozzer]

Just returning to the wheelie bin issue. It has been said that that bags were used in 2009. Whilst it is true there are images of bags in the alley, they are mostly green bags so I would suggest they are for the garden waste collection. There may have been an optional choice to have either a bin or bags + small recycling box.

Having studied google maps, I can confirm that grey and green wheelie bins were in use in Heworth in Aug 2008 as both are visible outside 39 Heworth Road. Also in Aug 2008 there is a grey wheelie with number 15 painted on, out on the grass verge in Heworth Place. It is important to be sure about wheelie bins as we have known of cases in the past where they have been relevant and wheelie bins are capable of holding a lot more than a plastic bin bag (obviously) yet are easy to manoeuvre too. Also, of course a definite collection day would be useful to know but this info is difficult to retrieve 10 years on. Given the amount of time which elapsed between CL going missing and the discovery of her absence on Friday lunchtime, unfortunately 2 potential bin collections may have occurred and evidence lost.

 

[RachelZachary]

Just returning to the wheelie bin issue. It has been said that that bags were used in 2009. Whilst it is true there are images of bags in the alley, they are mostly green bags so I would suggest they are for the garden waste collection. There may have been an optional choice to have either a bin or bags + small recycling box.

Having studied google maps, I can confirm that grey and green wheelie bins were in use in Heworth in Aug 2008 as both are visible outside 39 Heworth Road. Also in Aug 2008 there is a grey wheelie with number 15 painted on, out on the grass verge in Heworth Place. It is important to be sure about wheelie bins as we have known of cases in the past where they have been relevant and wheelie bins are capable of holding a lot more than a plastic bin bag (obviously) yet are easy to manoeuvre too. Also, of course a definite collection day would be useful to know but this info is difficult to retrieve 10 years on. Given the amount of time which elapsed between CL going missing and the discovery of her absence on Friday lunchtime, unfortunately 2 potential bin collections may have occurred and evidence lost.

Yes that is correct, and is still correct today. In certain small terraced areas of York we still only have the option of black bin bags, but some areas are allowed to have either. The bin day is a Tuesday now, I don’t think they change your bin day very often but I couldn’t say for sure for each area. Surely they would have checked her bin etc? I hope so. Or they weren’t very thorough?

 

[MajorLang]

I think it was Moonsafari who was asking earlier about rear garden access to Claudia's property.
See the attached link to a 22 second video clip of police in CLs garden in 2014.
police re-enter her house to look for clues; EXT GVs Forensics... Stock Footage Video - Getty Images

1) Around 7 seconds in, note the policeman entering via a wooden arched gate fixed between a brick building and a fence. Can anyone work out the whereabouts of this building as it is not on the current google earth map?
2) In same clip, note the 2 grey wheelie bins. Do any York locals know whether the wheelie bin system was in use in 2009 or do we think these were police bins used for collecting evidence?
3) Again appealing to people who know these properties and Websleuths who were on this case 10 years ago: does anyone recall discussions on here about the fences between properties (separating the gardens) having gates fitted so, in theory, anyone could enter their neighbour/or any number of neighbours' gardens, via these gates. I recall it was considered a criminal's haven by Websleuths then and it is possible that since police presence in the area, householders have taken advice and replaced their fencing with more robust structures.

But reflecting on the many recent (as well as past) discussions on how someone could be removed via the rear of the property, this was not as difficult as one would imagine.

Funny how that memory was triggered from watching that short clip. Thoughts or memories anyone?

So I have analysed the video and DS Malyn appears in talking to the other Police / Forensic people. Firstly they are seen talking outside of not CL house but Number 48 (House numbers increase as you move from CL house to Nags) Then there appears to be a connecting gate (The one @Yozzer mentions and police walk through and past a brick extension / building. this is No.50 Heworth Road with the distinct terracotta painted brickwork at rear. This is a gate that appears to connect the gardens of 48 to 50. I know this because CL house has a very new extension with a skylight at No. 46. Her extension has a white painted wall a window and contains a kitchen and likely a toilet / bathroom and a rear door. The video shows a natural brick building with window at side.

Perhaps rather than taking her through alleyway, police believe it was easier for them to take her through back gardens with very helpful connecting wooden gate?

Hope this helps?

 

[MajorLang]

Just returning to the wheelie bin issue. It has been said that that bags were used in 2009. Whilst it is true there are images of bags in the alley, they are mostly green bags so I would suggest they are for the garden waste collection. There may have been an optional choice to have either a bin or bags + small recycling box.

Having studied google maps, I can confirm that grey and green wheelie bins were in use in Heworth in Aug 2008 as both are visible outside 39 Heworth Road. Also in Aug 2008 there is a grey wheelie with number 15 painted on, out on the grass verge in Heworth Place. It is important to be sure about wheelie bins as we have known of cases in the past where they have been relevant and wheelie bins are capable of holding a lot more than a plastic bin bag (obviously) yet are easy to manoeuvre too. Also, of course a definite collection day would be useful to know but this info is difficult to retrieve 10 years on. Given the amount of time which elapsed between CL going missing and the discovery of her absence on Friday lunchtime, unfortunately 2 potential bin collections may have occurred and evidence lost.

@Yozzer You are correct whellie bins were in use at time of CL dissapearance

 

[Yozzer]

Yes that is correct, and is still correct today. In certain small terraced areas of York we still only have the option of black bin bags, but some areas are allowed to have either. The bin day is a Tuesday now, I don’t think they change your bin day very often but I couldn’t say for sure for each area. Surely they would have checked her bin etc? I hope so. Or they weren’t very thorough?

It's such a shame that google map images aren't labelled to the precise day.

 

[Thelastleg]

Just returning to the wheelie bin issue. It has been said that that bags were used in 2009. Whilst it is true there are images of bags in the alley, they are mostly green bags so I would suggest they are for the garden waste collection. There may have been an optional choice to have either a bin or bags + small recycling box.

Having studied google maps, I can confirm that grey and green wheelie bins were in use in Heworth in Aug 2008 as both are visible outside 39 Heworth Road. Also in Aug 2008 there is a grey wheelie with number 15 painted on, out on the grass verge in Heworth Place. It is important to be sure about wheelie bins as we have known of cases in the past where they have been relevant and wheelie bins are capable of holding a lot more than a plastic bin bag (obviously) yet are easy to manoeuvre too. Also, of course a definite collection day would be useful to know but this info is difficult to retrieve 10 years on. Given the amount of time which elapsed between CL going missing and the discovery of her absence on Friday lunchtime, unfortunately 2 potential bin collections may have occurred and evidence lost.

Sorry, If I'm having the wrong train of thought than you but I think a normal wheelie bin would be a very tight fit for a normal sized adult female. I have heard of a commercial bin being used to dispose of bodies. These hold about 660 litres for a small one as opposed to 120 ish for a household bin. These are usually tucked away at the back of premises or communal living areas. I'm thinking of the Corrie McKeague case where there was a discrepancy in the weight on the timesheet and that was why the landfill site was not searched at the time he went missing. However it wouldn't be so easy to carry a body through the street until you found one. Unless it was very close.

 

[MajorLang]

Sorry, If I'm having the wrong train of thought than you but I think a normal wheelie bin would be a very tight fit for a normal sized adult female. I have heard of a commercial bin being used to dispose of bodies. These hold about 660 litres for a small one as opposed to 120 ish for a household bin. These are usually tucked away at the back of premises or communal living areas. I'm thinking of the Corrie McKeague case where there was a discrepancy in the weight on the timesheet and that was why the landfill site was not searched at the time he went missing. However it wouldn't be so easy to carry a body through the street until you found one. Unless it was very close.

@Thelastleg Im not sure if anyone is suggesting that Claudia was wheeled off but it would be possible to get someone in a standard wheelybin, more likely if they were dead. Im sure that stages of Rigormortis would make this easier or more difficult-See attached chart

 

[Yozzer]

Sorry, If I'm having the wrong train of thought than you but I think a normal wheelie bin would be a very tight fit for a normal sized adult female. I have heard of a commercial bin being used to dispose of bodies. These hold about 660 litres for a small one as opposed to 120 ish for a household bin. These are usually tucked away at the back of premises or communal living areas. I'm thinking of the Corrie McKeague case where there was a discrepancy in the weight on the timesheet and that was why the landfill site was not searched at the time he went missing. However it wouldn't be so easy to carry a body through the street until you found one. Unless it was very close.

@Thelastleg
Unless it was very close.
No I agree. But it could have been used to transport a load quickly via a rear entry to a waiting vehicle, particularly during darkness. It could be done in conjunction with loading other waste into, say a builders van, giving the appearance of doing a trip to the tip. So regardless of bin collection days, a 240l wheeled bin 1070 h x 585 w x 740 d would be very useful.

 

[Officer Dibble]

@Pinkizzy If you read my blog on medium I explain this

Can you PM me your blog link (if its private)? Thanks.

 

[MajorLang]

Can you PM me your blog link (if its private)? Thanks.

@Officer Dibble
Claudia Lawrence-Who was she and Who took her?

It's not private and I update it at least daily based upon any new facts or any corrections that Sleuths made.
Interestingly it is getting attention from a particular few people on facebook that I am looking into also.
I know who they are
Happy for you to challenge and correct any of these facts at any time Dibble. We are getting quite a bit of attention which is positive-Analytics of Blog attached..

 

[MajorLang]

This is worth analysing-published on 31st December 2010
Link here
Friend will never forget her former housemate Claudia Lawrence

Jen King, 26, who lives in Heworth, said she knew she would have Claudia’s blessing to start enjoying life again.

She said: “It comes to a point where grief can become incredibly self-indulgent. You can’t carry on feeling sorry for yourself because of what has happened to Claudia.

“You’ve got to carry on with your life the best you can with the hand you’ve been dealt. That is more or less what I’m doing.

“Wherever she is and whatever situation she’s in she would not want me to put everything on hold because of what’s happened to her. I know I would have her blessing to carry on as normally as possibly.”
Lots of "Permision giving" to move on here.

But Jen, who met Claudia in the Nag’s Head pub, in Heworth, said she was still desperate to find out what had happened to her friend, who has not been seen since March 18, 2009.

She said: “I do still have her in my thoughts every day. She was one of my closest friends and I miss her terribly.


“I don’t want the case to be shelved and forgotten, but the police can’t flog a dead horse – they can’t work with information that isn’t there.
As long as it doesn't entail investigating her life as we have heard

“So now, more than ever, it’s absolutely imperative that any small pieces of information still get filtered through to the police.

“People really need to search their memories. Even if it’s completely insignificant, it might make the absolute difference to the case.”

Jen, who works as an administrator, said she had long resigned herself to the fact that even if Claudia was found alive, she would no longer be the Claudia she knew.
What did she mean by this?

 

[Thelastleg]

@Thelastleg
Unless it was very close.
No I agree. But it could have been used to transport a load quickly via a rear entry to a waiting vehicle, particularly during darkness. It could be done in conjunction with loading other waste into, say a builders van, giving the appearance of doing a trip to the tip. So regardless of bin collection days, a 240l wheeled bin 1070 h x 585 w x 740 d would be very useful.

This makes sense to me. I was thinking along the lines of a body in a bin being left out for collection and a household bin was too small to have it covered with rubbish. My mind took me back 30 years to a murder where the victim was wrapped in a carpet and put into a commercial bin. His remains were not discovered in a landfill site for a long time.

 

[Deleted member 102539]

Personally if we go on what the mother has said thus far it would be full of negativity directed at her Ex husband. A man who has worked night and day to try and get the police to keep their focus. I would prefer if he wrote it.

bbm
I'm amazed. Following the case since many years, I have never heard/read of something negative re Mrs. L's ex-husband and to be honest, I have always expected and simultaneously missed statements by Claudia's mother in exactly that direction. Why do I know nothing about it, I'm asking myself. Have I been in a coma from time to time?

 

[MajorLang]

bbm
I'm amazed. Following the case since many years, I have never heard/read of something negative re Mrs. L's ex-husband and to be honest, I have always expected and simultaneously missed statements by Claudia's mother in exactly that direction. Why do I know nothing about it, I'm asking myself. Have I been in a coma from time to time?

@fromgermany It is not what is said my Mr L as he is a very nice man but how his wife inferred that she would have reported the missing far earlier. If this is the case then why didn't she rather than to be critical of Mr L, who in my eyes responded as soon as he was aware something was wrong.This is what I am saying.

 

[RachelZachary]

This is worth analysing-published on 31st December 2010
Link here
Friend will never forget her former housemate Claudia Lawrence

Jen King, 26, who lives in Heworth, said she knew she would have Claudia’s blessing to start enjoying life again.

She said: “It comes to a point where grief can become incredibly self-indulgent. You can’t carry on feeling sorry for yourself because of what has happened to Claudia.

“You’ve got to carry on with your life the best you can with the hand you’ve been dealt. That is more or less what I’m doing.

“Wherever she is and whatever situation she’s in she would not want me to put everything on hold because of what’s happened to her. I know I would have her blessing to carry on as normally as possibly.”
Lots of "Permision giving" to move on here.

But Jen, who met Claudia in the Nag’s Head pub, in Heworth, said she was still desperate to find out what had happened to her friend, who has not been seen since March 18, 2009.

She said: “I do still have her in my thoughts every day. She was one of my closest friends and I miss her terribly.


“I don’t want the case to be shelved and forgotten, but the police can’t flog a dead horse – they can’t work with information that isn’t there.
As long as it doesn't entail investigating her life as we have heard

“So now, more than ever, it’s absolutely imperative that any small pieces of information still get filtered through to the police.

“People really need to search their memories. Even if it’s completely insignificant, it might make the absolute difference to the case.”

Jen, who works as an administrator, said she had long resigned herself to the fact that even if Claudia was found alive, she would no longer be the Claudia she knew.
What did she mean by this?

Exactly. In my opinion, if your friend was missing, you would not say any of this. I did consider that maybe they just weren’t that close, but still, it’s not how you would talk about the situation. I think she knows something or was involved.

 

[Popejohn3]

Exactly. In my opinion, if your friend was missing, you would not say any of this. I did consider that maybe they just weren’t that close, but still, it’s not how you would talk about the situation. I think she knows something or was involved.

I think she knows things but not necessarily very relevant things!
She and others keep putting out there that she lives opposite cl house .
In contrast to Suzzy Cooper moving away from the area .In my opinion these two friends have nothing to do with cl disappearance .

 

[MajorLang]

I think she knows things but not necessarily very relevant things!
She and others keep putting out there that she lives opposite cl house .
In contrast to Suzzy Cooper moving away from the area .In my opinion these two friends have nothing to do with cl disappearance .

Suzy knows nothing but may have suspicions.