Fresh appeal for information 30 years after murder of graduate Melanie Hall

Detectives are making a fresh appeal for information as they continue to investigate the murder of university graduate Melanie Hall 30 years ago.

Melanie Hall, 25, vanished after a night out with friends at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath in the early hours of June 9, 1996.

The hospital worker was last seen perched on a stool at the edge of the dancefloor speaking with an unidentified man at around 1.45am.

Her remains were not discovered until October 5, 2009, when workmen found them nearly 30 miles away next to the northbound slip road on the M5 near Thornbury, Gloucestershire.

As the 30^th anniversary of her murder approaches, detectives will be making a renewed appeal on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live.

The programme will also include an interview with Miss Hall’s father Steve Hall and sister Dominique.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender, who is leading the investigation, said: ‘Melanie’s family has endured unimaginable pain and uncertainty for almost three decades and have shown extraordinary strength and resilience throughout this time.

‘Everything we do is driven by the need to provide them with the justice and answers they so desperately need.

‘As we approach this significant anniversary, I want people to think back to the weekend of June 8 and 9 in 1996.

‘England were playing Switzerland in the opening game of the Euros, and the centre of Bath was exceptionally busy.

‘Melanie had spent an evening with her boyfriend and friends and went to the former Cadillacs nightclub.

‘The last confirmed sighting of her was at 1.10am on Sunday June 9, when her friends left the club. She was sat by the side of the dancefloor on her own.

‘Did you go to Cadillacs nightclub? Did you see Melanie that night? Has anyone spoken to you about that night and raised any concerns or suspicions?

‘Does anyone you know act differently when they see or hear an appeal for information relating to this case?

‘We believe there’s a strong possibility Melanie left the nightclub with her killer, as a coat she had checked into a cloakroom was collected, but she could have met them outside or got into a car.

‘If you have information or suspicions about anyone who could be connected to Melanie’s disappearance, now is the time to let us know. Please let us decide if information is relevant to the investigation or not.’

Mr Lavender said the discovery of Miss Hall’s remains by the side of the M5 at junction 14 in 2009 was a pivotal moment but only provided some of the answers.

‘The location where Melanie’s remains were found remains a key focus for us,’ he said.

‘We’re keeping an open mind as to when Melanie’s body was dumped at this location. This could have been in the hours after she went missing, or the days following this.

‘Did you see a car parked on the slip road, near to where it joins the M5 in the early hours of Sunday June 9, or in the days or weeks after this? Do you know anyone from Bath who has connections with this route?’

Melanie’s clothing – a pale blue silk dress, black suede mule shoes, a cream single-breasted long-sleeved jacket and a black satchel-type handbag – have never been found.

Cosmetics and a Midland chequebook and bank card belonging to her, as well as items of jewellery including a Next watch and silver drop earrings, have also not been located.

‘Melanie’s remains were found without her clothing or items she had with her on the night she went missing,’ the detective said.

‘She was wearing a pale blue silk dress with a round neck, black suede mule shoes with straps across the front and an open toe, size 5 or 6, a cream single-breasted, long-sleeved jacket and a black satchel-type handbag.

‘In Melanie’s handbag were cosmetics and a Midland cheque book and bank card. Also missing are items of jewellery including a Next watch with expanding bracelet and silver drop earrings.

‘Have you seen any of these items, or do you know where they may be?’

Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Melanie’s murder.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Comments Add as preferred source