UK UK - Claudia Lawrence, 35, Chef, York University, 18 March 2009 #6

[MrsWatson]

@MajorLang I agree; if there was some sort of trafficking, it was drugs or money, or even illegal smokes, not people.

 

[keep-it-real]

@MajorLang I agree; if there was some sort of trafficking, it was drugs or money, or even illegal smokes, not people.

Why not all of them?

 

[MajorLang]

@MajorLang I agree; if there was some sort of trafficking, it was drugs or money, or even illegal smokes, not people.

@MrsWatson Or ammunition's

 

[Popejohn3]

Maybe the rumour of claudia seeing a policeman had some truth in it, maybe she was spotted with one and this caused certain people to panic, and that was that

We know she was long time friend of Lucy Pope who was in the force.

 

[MrsWatson]

Guns, drugs, ammo, smokes, money (counterfeit?), bearer bonds, designer knock-offs. So many things could be smuggled, a huge lucrative business. And Claudia being friends with a cop could be very alarming for those involved in it. Especially if Claudia herself had some part in it.

*I am in no way trying to victim shame here about Claudia. I think she had secrets. Likely many of them may have had zero bearing on her disappearance. But there is so much that isn't known about her personal life or is so murky, it's hard to sort out.

Also, I think that pub was a hive of intrigue, and it all goes back to the Nag's Head, doesn't it?

 

[MajorLang]

We know she was long time friend of Lucy Pope who was in the force.

No she went to school with her

 

[Popejohn3]

No she went to school with her

But kept in touch with her I believe and that is one reason the police acted so quick

 

[MajorLang]

But kept in touch with her I believe and that is one reason the police acted so quick

No they responded so quickly because Claudia and her clan and Nags were under observation. Lucy Pope would not have clout to configure such a rapid response

 

[Inspector Evans]

Evening folks.

Spent the last 10 days each evening carefully reading through the near six threads on CL. Have to say great work from @MajorLang with some excellent contributions at different parts of the last decade from @moonsafari , @Angleterre , @Popejohn3 and other members who've chipped in with interesting theories/viewpoints.

I followed the case when it was first reported and that increased again with the 2014/15 arrests. My understanding was basically limited however to here not turning up to work, probable abduction and then it all focused on her local.

Can't say I had great knowledge of the relevant CCTVs, timeline and POIs but now I certainly do! I did watch the Channel 5 look back but that was more focused on Cyprus, Amsterdam and Chris Halliwell.

Anyway I think if I was on here a few weeks earlier my main contribution would've been over other CCTVs located. All that was released for public viewing was from one angle. I'm interested what if any CCTV was located at the traffic junction at Heworth road?

Must admit I assumed the house/pub was right by the junction but from viewing the Bus CCTV from the night before it seems it's a little way down so doubt it would've picked up any POIs. More likely to me vehicles. My theory imo is if you had to get away from the house quickly with a possible disposable I personally wouldn't be driving towards the Uni, I'd be going northwards...it's the direction of Malton after all.

In any case I assume polic did checks of direction of travel in both directions between 5-6.30am and have some answers...aswell as loads more questions! But that's this case all over.

I'm interested if the bus down the road started running up at 6am what showed up on their CCTVs going past Claudia's house at I assume 15/20 minute intervals (although maybe longer gaps given how early it was ). If there really was someone lurking/keeping watch outside her house from half 6 onwards then maybe he (or his shadow) would've been picked up but again seems it's been left to hang in public unless someone relevant comes forward.

My gut is this thread will still be going in ten years I'm afraid. Maybe there might be an arrest or two to get interest going again (possible if there's a new lead to take over from Malan in future) but feels a little bit like Suzy Lamplaugh to me given the body seems to have been very well hidden somewhere.

A shame for her parents who are in their 70s now. Indeed some of the arrested are into their 50s and even early 60s now so feels to me if some of them really are involved then they'll feel confident they can evade serious charges for another decade.

Anyway that's my general thoughts. Will try to add anymore relevants thoughts questions as the sleuthing continues!

 

[Inspector Evans]

Forgot to say my other interest was one of the neighbours saying he saw her being bundled into a car.

Now I assume he dosen't mean 18th/19th March 2009 but strange to me we never got a date published for that e.g. was it early 2008 so not really connected to this investigation or in the run up to CL's disappearance.

I'm pretty said the witness who claimed he saw that was in his 80s so I guess he might not be alive anymore to be re-interviewed. Can't remember if he was in NH when he allegedly saw this or lived opposite the pub and was maybe woken up by the noise and saw it occur. Of course it could've been CL drunk and playfully being pushed into a taxi to continue drinking in the city centre with group of friends as @moonsafari said happened on occasions when it was too early to call it a night.

 

[Inspector Evans]

I have just checked the NY police website again especially the photos of the 'old style light colored Ford Focus seen braking'. I have tried to check the angles of these photos as best I can and it honestly seems to me that the car is braking well before the pub car park (opposite school tower at top of pictures I think). In fact I would go so far as to say it was braking BEFORE Claudia's house, maybe to pick somebody (her?) up? It's the right time frame for a lift to the university for a 6.00 am start.

That's the key for me. Where did this car go after? Obviously the CCTV on which it was shown would've picked up it going back south 10 or so minutes later towards University if it was as simple as CL waiting outside and getting in.

If not and it goes north again there must be some CCTV in that direction (perhaps not from a passing bus).

Of course it could be something totally unrelated, I of course realise not everyone living on that road would've known CL or be involved in this but police didn't rule the car out so assume it's very much involved.

Clearly this info is being held back for a reason. Wonder what route the Police actually have of this vehicle...

 

[Inspector Evans]

No I said that she ran from the rear of Nags car park and down alley at side of Nags into road. She would have come out of nowhere to a car driven even at 22 mph

Where would she be running to cross the road, JK? If she was living across the road at the time? I'd say in that unlikely scenario she'd run up to the shops to alert someone arriving to their shift.

Ultimately it's far more likely she met her end inside four walls somewhere in York. I could be wrong though. Maybe she was driven to grounds of Uni, argument/scuffle happened, end of life and then she was driven to be disposed of somewhere (with rucksack dumped aswell before being collected again later in day when perp realised it hadn't been picked up).

Round and round in circles we go!

 

[Inspector Evans]

Never fancied the boat theory much until I found out sniffer dogs traced Claudia's scent down to the river, but for whatever reason police didn't seem to take it any further

Yeah strange to get a possible lead and then decide not to proceed. Was it said where this section of river was in location to York and the University? Forgive me if I missed it in the other five threads!

Edit: Answers for possible locations underneath the post I've quoted.

Would be surprised if her body ever turns up tbh. Mind you Melanie Hall was missing for 13 years and then she turned up to the side of a junction of major motorway IIRC so you never know.

 

[Inspector Evans]

I genuinely think SC is just heartbroken and as has been said CL's absence has become genuine void in her life so she's trying to get on with her life but obviously still struggling.

JK a little more interesting. Without seeing those YT pieces I remember it was posted on here a news article from December 2010 saying she was going to move on with her life and she felt CL would accept this. Less than two years at that point so case was still very fresh for all. Maybe it's just her nature but felt to me it was a little too early to just get on with things and move on.

Of course since then someone very close to her has been allegedly arrested and surprisingly to me she still lives in the same street and so views CL's house everytime she comes out in the morning and evening. A strange one so in a funny way she hasn't moved on as much as she wanted and through other circumstances. Did SC live a bit further away from Nags?

 

[HongKongPhooey]

I genuinely think SC is just heartbroken and as has been said CL's absence has become genuine void in her life so she's trying to get on with her life but obviously still struggling.

JK a little more interesting. Without seeing those YT pieces I remember it was posted on here a news article from December 2010 saying she was going to move on with her life and she felt CL would accept this. Less than two years at that point so case was still very fresh for all. Maybe it's just her nature but felt to me it was a little too early to just get on with things and move on.

Of course since then someone very close to her has been allegedly arrested and surprisingly to me she still lives in the same street and so views CL's house everytime she comes out in the morning and evening. A strange one so in a funny way she hasn't moved on as much as she wanted and through other circumstances. Did SC live a bit further away from Nags?

Hiya and welcome, great posts.

V interesting point re people still living in that house. Maybe there is a reason why they cannot move? Had not crossed my mind before. Something they would not want to chance a new owner finding?

 

[MajorLang]

I genuinely think SC is just heartbroken and as has been said CL's absence has become genuine void in her life so she's trying to get on with her life but obviously still struggling.

JK a little more interesting. Without seeing those YT pieces I remember it was posted on here a news article from December 2010 saying she was going to move on with her life and she felt CL would accept this. Less than two years at that point so case was still very fresh for all. Maybe it's just her nature but felt to me it was a little too early to just get on with things and move on.

Of course since then someone very close to her has been allegedly arrested and surprisingly to me she still lives in the same street and so views CL's house everytime she comes out in the morning and evening. A strange one so in a funny way she hasn't moved on as much as she wanted and through other circumstances. Did SC live a bit further away from Nags?

SC lived at Tang Hall. There was no cctv at the other end of Heworth Road/ Stockton Lane. There is cost cutter cctv at other end Heworth Road / East Parade. Is there perhaps a reason why some may not want to move away from Heworth Road / Nags Head?
While the cats away the mice will talk.IMO

When Claudia ran (if she did) from Nags Car Park-Take it that she was running away from someone and not to somewhere.
Hope this answers some of questions raised ?
SC is an interesting one-Knows far more than let's on IMO. Not suggesting involvement.

 

[Popejohn3]

Hiya and welcome, great posts.

V interesting point re people still living in that house. Maybe there is a reason why they cannot move? Had not crossed my mind before. Something they would not want to chance a new owner finding?

Yes but the police have searched that house and many others . Innocent until proven guilty okay ?

 

[Popejohn3]

SC lived at Tang Hall. There was no cctv at the other end of Heworth Road/ Stockton Lane. There is cost cutter cctv at other end Heworth Road / East Parade. Is there perhaps a reason why some may not want to move away from Heworth Road / Nags Head?
While the cats away the mice will talk.IMO

When Claudia ran (if she did) from Nags Car Park-Take it that she was running away from someone and not to somewhere.
Hope this answers some of questions raised ?
SC is an interesting one-Knows far more than let's on IMO. Not suggesting involvement.

SC probably knows more but I’m sure she told all to the police and probably the reason she moved house bless her .

 

[Popejohn3]

Claudia Lawrence

 

[Popejohn3]

Claudia Lawrence

This is an easy read for newbies on this thread