Mother Of Missing Claudia Launches Appeal

The mother of missing chef, Claudia Lawrence, has made an appeal for information to help find her daughter.

Joan Lawrence, 65, in a police statement, said she wanted to make a further plea to anyone to come forward with information.

The mother-of-two said: "The situation I find myself in is every parent’s worst nightmare. Our children, no matter how old they are, are still the most precious things in our lives.

"I am blessed with two beautiful daughters, not only beautiful on the outside, but inside as well.

"I wish to appeal for help to you all, whoever you are.

"The response so far has been fantastic but unfortunately as we speak, our attempts have been unsuccessful in finding Claudia.

"Come forward with any information no matter how insignificant or trivial [you] think it may be."

Miss Lawrence, 35, was last seen on March 18 near her home on Heworth Road, and failed to arrive for her 6am shift at work at the University of York’s Goodricke College the next morning.

At a weekly news conference, at his house in Slingsby, North Yorks, the 35-year-old’s father re-appealed for a man who may hold key information on Claudia’s disappearance.

Officers are keen to speak with a man and woman seen on Melrosegate Bridge at 5.35pm on Thursday, 19 March.

The couple were seen on a bridge near an electricity sub station on the route which Miss Lawrence normally took to walk to work.

The man was wearing dark combat trousers and was said to be skinny and was smoking a cigarette with his left hand, which has been described as "unusual".

The woman was described as having mousy brown hair and wearing a blue jacket and, while police said they did not know if it was Miss Lawrence, they described it as a "significant sighting".

Mr Lawrence said: "If he gets this message and there was absolutely nothing untoward, if would be extremely helpful if we knew that.

"Somebody else must know who that is from the description; husband, partner, brother, neighbour, workmate. We really need to know, even if it is just to eliminate."

Mr Lawrence also said students returning to the city could hold vital information and he appealed to them to "search their memories".

Last week, Crimestoppers charity confirmed it had taken the unusual step to offer a £10,000 reward for information about Miss Lawrence, due to the strong public interest in the case.

See: Claudia Father Issues Student Appeal

(JM/BMcC)