New Lead In Claudia Lawrence Inquiry

13 December 2011, 11:31 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Police say they have a new lead in the search for missing York Uni chef Claudia Lawrence.

Claudia, who was 35 when she vanished, was reported missing when she didn't turn up for work in 2009.

The case is being treated as suspected murder, and is one of the biggest investigations carried out by North Yorkshire Police.

Now,  we're told a potential new witness has come forward.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, of North Yorkshire Police, said:

"Detectives are currently developing information which came into the investigation following recent media coverage about the case. The enquiry team are currently working to determine the significance of the new information and to put it into context with what we already know. 

"It has the potential to be a significant line of enquiry, however, it requires more detailed work to clarify its significance. An appeal for assistance will only be made if and when it is appropriate to the investigation."

Family spokesman Martin Dales said the news had "come out of the blue''. He said:

"We knew nothing about Ray Galloway's announcement. Peter (Claudia's father) was surprised that he hadn't been informed this was going to be said.

"Any new lead is encouraging and let's hope it leads towards some form of closure. We have been here before with false dawns.''