Claudia Lawrence: Former gravel pits searched in missing chef case

A popular fishing spot is being searched by police investigating the suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence.

The 35-year-old's disappearance has remained a mystery since she failed to turn up for work at the University of York in March 2009.

North Yorkshire Police said its latest search at Sand Hutton gravel pits, about eight miles (13km) outside York, was expected to take a number of days.

The force said it could not disclose what had led officers to the location.

Det Supt Wayne Fox, who took over as senior investigating officer in the case earlier this year, said teams of specialist officers, including underwater search teams, would spend several days at the site.

He said the searches were among "several active lines of inquiry" being pursued amid efforts to establish what happened to Claudia and "identify any person responsible for causing her harm".

Ms Lawrence's family had been notified about the search, he added.

The former gravel pits at Sand Hutton sit to the north-east of York, close to the busy A64.

Popular with anglers, the site is believed to have been used as fishing ponds since the late 1960s.

Police cordoned off a large section of woodland surrounding the waters on Tuesday as officers searched undergrowth along a public bridleway which runs through the area.

University chef Ms Lawrence was last seen at 15.05 on Wednesday 18 March walking towards her home on Heworth Road.

Later that evening she spoke to both her parents, Joan and Peter Lawrence, by phone, but the following day failed to arrive for her job at Goodricke College.

A friend who became concerned when she failed to meet at a local pub that evening contacted Ms Lawrence's father, who reported her missing on 20 March.

In April 2009, police confirmed they were treating her disappearance as a case of suspected murder.

Nine people have been questioned in connection with her disappearance, but no charges have ever been brought.

North Yorkshire Police said the investigation had been difficult because Ms Lawrence did not use social media or own a smartphone.

The force scaled back its investigation in 2017, however it said it would investigate any fresh lead or evidence in the case.

Ms Lawrence's father, Peter, died in February without finding out what had happened to his daughter.

The 74-year-old had lobbied for a change in the law, which came into force in 2019, to allow relatives to take control of their missing loved ones' financial affairs.

Mr Lawrence was appointed an OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2018 in recognition of his campaigning.

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