Claudia: man bailed following murder arrest
Police ask public not to name the suspect
A man arrested on suspicion of murdering Claudia Lawrence has been released on bail by detectives investigating the disappearance of the chef from Malton.
The suspect, who is in his 50s and from the York area, was arrested on Monday.
Officers with North Yorkshire Police are continuing to carry out a number of searches related to the case and said it will be continuing with its enquiries.
“The investigation team would like to stress that Claudia has not been found,” said a force spokesman.
“Claudia’s family have been notified about the arrest and are being supported by trained officers.”
The arrest follows last week’s release of previously unseen CCTV footage of two people walking near Claudia’s home on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2009, and is the third arrest by the force’s Major Crimes Unit since it took over the investigation in 2013.
Officers arrested a 60-yearold man last year in connection with her disappearance and suspected murder - later releasing him without charge, as well as a second man, aged 47, who remains on bail on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
This l ate s t devel o pment comes days after police marked the sixth anniversary of the University of York chef ’s disappearance.
“It is encouraging to know that following all the media activity over the last three weeks, from Claudia’s 41st birthday to the sixth anniversary of her being missing, North Yorkshire police continue to be active in seeking answers as to what has happened to Claudia,” said Peter Lawrence, the father of Claudia.
“It is to be hoped that the matter can be resolved as soon as possible and I encourage people to continue to come forward with information to the police by phoning them on 101.”
Police released the arrested man on bail late on Tuesday night and repeated the plea for the man not to be identified on social media.
Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, head of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Crime Unit a said: “I am very grateful to the media and the public for supporting my request that this i ndividual should under no circumstances be identified.”