UK UK - Sybil Appelquist, 41, Bridlington, Yorkshire, mid 2002

[Al Ka]

Sybil Theresa Appelquist (Nee Hornby)

It was a padded envelope delivered to Bridlington police station containing a suicide note and a key to the home of Sybil and John Appelquist which prompted a huge search in November 2002.

The note was sent from John, who officers later found at the house with both his wrists slashed in a suicide attempt.

He told them his wife had left him, and he was taken to hospital in Scarborough where he was to remain for several weeks. From that point on police launched a missing persons inquiry for Sybil, which was to become one of the biggest and most detailed investigations the force had undertaken.

It would lead to the conclusion that Sybil had "ceased to exist" and could have been missing for up to a year.
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She had vanished without taking any personal possessions including her passport or money. The garden was dug up, a nearby lock-up garage searched.

John Appelquist was arrested on suspicion of murdering his wife. He went on trial at Hull Crown Court at the beginning of 2004 but was cleared of his wife's murder.

"This was a forensic examination that lasted a year," Mr Smith said.

The notorious murders police have found most difficult to solve

 

[Al Ka]

Published: 10 May 2003
Help sought to find missing person

The Bridlington Police Service requests the help of dentists who may have been in contact with Sybil Theresa Appelquist (Nee Hornby).

There is serious concern for Sybil's safety. She disappeared from her home in Bridlington in early/mid 2002. Her family is extremely worried and states that her disappearance is totally out of character.

Sybil was born on 15 August 1961 and had lived and worked within Bridlington all her life. Since she disappeared her husband has become unwell and has not been able to provide an explanation for her disappearance.

Sybil is described as a white female, 5 feet 4 inches tall. Her build has varied over the years but the most recent description was that she was of large build. She has dark collar length hair.

Sybil's dental records are unavailable but she has had extensive dental work, including two dental bridges on her upper front jaw, each bridge consists of three teeth and the centre tooth of each bridge is false and the surrounding teeth are fitted with crowns. The last dentist that Sybil was registered with was in Bridlington, East Yorkshire.

Help sought to find missing person

 

[Al Ka]

February 2003
New clue in hunt for missing woman

Detectives have been anxious to trace any advertisements placed by Sybil Applequist or her husband, John, during last year or even earlier - in particular any small ads offering furniture, jewellery, or household effects for sale.

They have already discovered the Free Press and the Gazette and Herald carried advertisements for the sale of Sybil Applequist's blue Ford Fiesta car in October last year, which had been placed by Mr Applequist, 49, who is in a psychiatric ward at Scarborough Hospital.

New clue in hunt for missing woman

 

[Al Ka]

March 2003
Manhunt switches to Suffolk

A NATIONWIDE manhunt has today switched its attention to Suffolk in a bid to unravel the mysterious disappearance of a 41-year-old woman from Yorkshire.
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Before she went missing, she lived with her husband John, but did not have any children. She was unemployed at the time she went missing but she previously worked at a fish shop in Bridlington.

She used to drive a blue Ford Fiesta car with the registration number L798 BRH, although she is not in possession of the car at present. Police do not believe she has taken any personal possessions or clothing from her home.

Although Mrs Applequist has a brother in the Chelsea area of London, it is not known whether she has any connections with other parts of the country.

Manhunt switches to Suffolk

 

[Al Ka]

February 2004
Husband in 'no body' case cleared of murder

Alexandra Wood POLICE remained adamant last night that missing Bridlington woman Sybil Appelquist was dead – as her husband walked free from court after being cleared of her murder.

Humberside Police said forces throughout Britain and Europe would continue the search for the remains of Mrs Appelquist, 40, who went missing in 2002.

Her husband John remained impassive in the dock as Mr Justice Andrew Smith yesterday directed the jury at Hull Crown Court to return a verdict of not guilty.
He left shortly afterwards hidden under a blanket on the back seat of a car driven by his girlfriend.

Sybil Appelquist's brother Anthony Hornby, who was said to be "gutted", also left the court without comment.
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However police believe she died towards the end of March 2002.

Husband in 'no body' case cleared of murder

 

[Al Ka]

March 2012
Ten years since the disappearance of Sybil Appelquist

Pam Appelquist, 72, is convinced her sister-in-law and former friend and employee is dead. Speaking from her Bridlington home she said: “Right from the very beginning I always thought Sybil was dead.

“Now, every time there is something on the news or in the papers about human remains being found, wherever it is, I can’t help wondering if it is Sybil. There is not a day goes by that I don’t think about her.“
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She knew Sybil Hornby before she married her brother as she worked at Arnold’s for more than 10 years.

Sybil had been a friend but was not always an easy one. Pam described her as suffering from depression, which could take her into deep lows. “I spent a lot of my life trying to help her out of those lows,“ said Pam.
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Pam believes Sybil was dead long before police launched a missing persons inquiry.

“I am sure she had vanished a good six months before she was said to be missing. I think that is when she died.

“Neighbours at Cranbeck Close noticed they hadn’t seen Sybil working in her garden for a long time, she used to enjoy her garden.,“ said Pam.

Pam, who gave evidence at her brother’s trial, said she has had no contact with him for longer than 10 years and has no idea where he is now.

Her hope is that one day Sybil’s body will be discovered.

“All I want is for justice to be done,” she said. Until then she will still have painful reminders of the sister-in-law, workmate and friend every time an unidentified body comes to light.

Ten years since the disappearance of Sybil Appelquist

 

[Al Ka]

March 2012
A complicated case

IN May 2003, Sybil’s older brother Anthony Hornby travelled from London to talk to police and gave an exclusive interview to the Free Press saying he did not believe Sybil was alive.

He also said he believed he was possibly the last person to speak to her when they had a phone conversation in March 2002.
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Since the search for his sister he has periodically been back to Yorkshire, staying with friends.

He and Sybil were very close and he has always been surprised she did not contact him if she had any problems. Speaking to the Free Press last week he said: “I still believe that Sybil was murdered.
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“I am still convinced if any remains were found, it would be in the local vicinity.

“I would not like anyone else to have to live with as great a loss as this is without knowing the circumstances.
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“I do not believe time heals. I feel that people have to move on with their own lives, but the memory of Sybil always remains with me.

A complicated case

 

[elframo]

Bumping , do we know the details of the last conversation between Sybil and her brother?

 

[chimpface]

I've never heard of this case before.

I can only find one John Appelquist in the UK, he's a swedish national and the ages matches her husbands who was tried for the murder. He's now living in Hackney.

 

[RobinCAL]

This is incredibly fascinating, I've never heard of it either but I hope there's some news soon for her family and friends.

 

[dotr]

2019
Missing people: Art highlights UK's absent loved ones
Sybil Appelquist (nee Hornby)

Missing since 2002

Age when missing: 40

image copyrightRichard Colson
image captionSybil Appelquist features in the exhibition
Lee Boxell

 

[annpats]

I can only find one John Appelquist in the UK, he's a swedish national and the ages matches her husbands who was tried for the murder. He's now living in Hackney.

John Appelquist is listed on LinkedIn as still living and working in Falsgrave, North Yorkshire, which is only 17 miles from Bridlington where he used to luve with Sybil.

Although he seems to have changed the spelling of his surname to the original Swedish Appelqvist, as opposed to the anglicised Appelquist.

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/john-appelqvist-96127163

 

[elframo]

His Fb is the same..