‘It’s never too late to come forward’ says new Claudia police lead

The new lead investigator into the Claudia Lawrence case has spoken publicly for the first time.

On the eve of the 16th anniversary of her disappearance, senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Jon Sygrove says the investigation is still open.

And he urged those still harbouring secrets to come clean.

Chef Claudia, from Heworth, was last seen on 18 March 2009.

Five weeks after her disappearance, North Yorkshire Police said the enquiry was now a suspected murder investigation.

But no one has ever been charged in relation to the case.

Detective Chief Inspector Jon Sygrove said: “My thoughts remain with Claudia’s mother and wider family. 

“I cannot begin to understand the distress her mother has endured over the past 16 years, but I can reiterate our commitment to finding out what happened to Claudia.

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“As we have stated many times, the barrier to unlocking the answers for Claudia’s loved ones are the people who know or may suspect what happened to Claudia.

“There may be many reasons as to why they have been unable to come forward, and I repeat our plea to them after 16 years of living with this knowledge and seeing the pain Claudia’s loved ones have gone through, to please do the right thing and make a report.

“It is never too late to come forward.”

DCI Sygrove added: “Whilst the inquiry has been in a ‘reactive phase’ since 2017, to be clear, the investigation is not closed.

“If a specific line of enquiry is developed from receipt of new information, and grows in significance, we will take decisive action, as we did when extensively searching the gravel pits at Sand Hutton in August 2021.

“Every new piece of information is carefully assessed against the significant volumes of material that has been gathered over the full course of the investigation.

“North Yorkshire Police will never give up on the search for the truth. Next to Claudia’s family, there is no one who wants justice for her loved ones more than North Yorkshire Police.

“If you know something that could help us find Claudia, or those involved in her disappearance and suspected murder, I urge you to come forward now.”