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Claudia Lawrence case 'fits behaviour pattern' of Christopher Halliwell Claudia Lawrence case ‘fits behaviour pattern’ of Christopher Halliwell
(35 minutes later)
The disappearance of chef Claudia Lawrence, who was last seen in 2009, fits with the pattern of behaviour of double murderer Christopher Halliwell, according to the former detective who originally caught the killer. Former Wiltshire detective superintendent Steve Fulcher said Halliwell’s links to the area where Lawrence vanished should be investigated and also suggested he could be linked with the disappearance of 25-year-old university graduate Melanie Hall. The disappearance of chef Claudia Lawrence, who was last seen in 2009, fits with the pattern of behaviour of double murderer Christopher Halliwell, according to the former detective who originally caught the killer.
Former Wiltshire detective superintendent Steve Fulcher said Halliwell’s links to the area where Lawrence vanished should be investigated and also suggested he could be linked with the disappearance of 25-year-old university graduate Melanie Hall.
Halliwell, from Swindon, was last week given a full-life term – meaning he will die in prison – for the sexually motivated murder of 20-year-old Becky Godden, almost four years after he was jailed for killing 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan.Halliwell, from Swindon, was last week given a full-life term – meaning he will die in prison – for the sexually motivated murder of 20-year-old Becky Godden, almost four years after he was jailed for killing 22-year-old Sian O’Callaghan.
Lawrence disappeared on her way to work at the University of York from her home in March 2009 and no sign of her has since been found. In March the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring charges against four men who were arrested in 2015. Lawrence disappeared on her way to work at the University of York from her home in March 2009 and no sign of her has been found. In March the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring charges against four men who were arrested in 2015.
Hall disappeared in 1996 after leaving a nightclub in Bath, Somerset, and her remains were later found in vegetation off the northbound slipway at junction 14 of the M5 at Thornbury in 2009. A 45-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering her was released on bail in June.Hall disappeared in 1996 after leaving a nightclub in Bath, Somerset, and her remains were later found in vegetation off the northbound slipway at junction 14 of the M5 at Thornbury in 2009. A 45-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murdering her was released on bail in June.
Fulcher told the Sunday Express: “Claudia Lawrence disappeared from York seven years ago. Halliwell’s father lived a few streets away from where Claudia went missing. It fits his pattern of behaviour: abducting women walking alone either late at night or early in the morning.”Fulcher told the Sunday Express: “Claudia Lawrence disappeared from York seven years ago. Halliwell’s father lived a few streets away from where Claudia went missing. It fits his pattern of behaviour: abducting women walking alone either late at night or early in the morning.”
Following Friday’s sentence police repeated that they believed Halliwell – a chauffeur and a ground worker who travelled the UK – had killed other women and revealed that they were pursuing other lines of inquiry on other possible offences after calls making further allegations.Following Friday’s sentence police repeated that they believed Halliwell – a chauffeur and a ground worker who travelled the UK – had killed other women and revealed that they were pursuing other lines of inquiry on other possible offences after calls making further allegations.
North Yorkshire police are investigating the possibility of linking Halliwell to the Lawrence case. A spokesman for the force said: “The investigation team is aware of this matter and they will carefully assess the information in line with the ongoing review of the Claudia Lawrence case. However, to be clear, the team is not aware of any evidence that would link this individual [Halliwell] to the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia.”North Yorkshire police are investigating the possibility of linking Halliwell to the Lawrence case. A spokesman for the force said: “The investigation team is aware of this matter and they will carefully assess the information in line with the ongoing review of the Claudia Lawrence case. However, to be clear, the team is not aware of any evidence that would link this individual [Halliwell] to the disappearance and suspected murder of Claudia.”
Fulcher, who is now a security consultant in Somalia, suggested Halliwell could also be linked to the murder of Hall. “The circumstances match his modus operandi in abducting a girl late at night from a nightclub. Evidence of her being tied up with rope is consistent with Halliwell’s interests,” he said.Fulcher, who is now a security consultant in Somalia, suggested Halliwell could also be linked to the murder of Hall. “The circumstances match his modus operandi in abducting a girl late at night from a nightclub. Evidence of her being tied up with rope is consistent with Halliwell’s interests,” he said.
Halliwell originally confessed to the murder of O’Callaghan and led Fulcher to the field where he had dumped her body, but the confessions were later ruled inadmissible by a high court judge because the detective had failed to caution the killer, breaching police procedural rules for the interviewing of suspects.Halliwell originally confessed to the murder of O’Callaghan and led Fulcher to the field where he had dumped her body, but the confessions were later ruled inadmissible by a high court judge because the detective had failed to caution the killer, breaching police procedural rules for the interviewing of suspects.
Fulcher was found guilty of gross misconduct by a police disciplinary panel and resigned from Wiltshire police several months after being given a final written warning, ending his 27-year police career.Fulcher was found guilty of gross misconduct by a police disciplinary panel and resigned from Wiltshire police several months after being given a final written warning, ending his 27-year police career.
The mother of Godden has also said she believed her daughter’s killer could be linked to the disappearances of both Lawrence and Hall. Karen Edwards told the Mail on Sunday that during her own inquiries into Halliwell she discovered Lawrence had gone missing exactly two years before he abducted O’Callaghan. “I believe he has been up and down the country murdering young women,” she said.The mother of Godden has also said she believed her daughter’s killer could be linked to the disappearances of both Lawrence and Hall. Karen Edwards told the Mail on Sunday that during her own inquiries into Halliwell she discovered Lawrence had gone missing exactly two years before he abducted O’Callaghan. “I believe he has been up and down the country murdering young women,” she said.
She added: “Serial killers are usually triggered by dates. That was the day that Halliwell broke up with one of his partners. Halliwell was familiar with York – his father lived in Huddersfield – and the description of Claudia’s murderer is identical to him: a left-handed smoker, 5ft 8-10in, with slightly receding hair and a skinny build.”She added: “Serial killers are usually triggered by dates. That was the day that Halliwell broke up with one of his partners. Halliwell was familiar with York – his father lived in Huddersfield – and the description of Claudia’s murderer is identical to him: a left-handed smoker, 5ft 8-10in, with slightly receding hair and a skinny build.”
Martin Dales, friend and spokesman of Lawrence’s father, Peter, said the claim should be investigated, as the retired officer had “a detailed knowledge of things”. He said: “It’s a heartbreaking period to go without somebody and we hope this will come to some conclusion - whether this is it is for other people to find out.” Martin Dales, a friend and spokesman of Lawrence’s father, Peter, said the claim should be investigated, as the retired officer had “a detailed knowledge of things”. He said: “It’s a heartbreaking period to go without somebody and we hope this will come to some conclusion - whether this is it is for other people to find out.”