British Murders Unsolved | Episode 1: Claudia Lawrence (York, North Yorkshire, 2009)

35-year-old Claudia Lawrence last spoke to her mum on her mobile phone at around half 8 in the evening of March 18, 2009, shortly after phoning her dad.

The following morning, she didn't turn up for her shift at the University of York and failed to meet her friend at the Nags Head pub that evening as planned.

She has not been seen or heard from since.

If you have any information about this case, please contact Crimestoppers anonymously by phoning 0800 555 111 or via their website at crimestoppers-uk.org

Alternatively, to speak with someone from North Yorkshire Police, please call 101, quoting "Claudia Lawrence".

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. I list the sources used in each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Allen, V., & Mcdermott, N. (2009, September 21). Police question the man who sent missing Claudia her last text from Cyprus. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1214813/I-fear-Claudia-Lawrence-killed-man-met-holiday-Cyprus-says-ex-lover.html
Banner, M. (2023, November 8). What happened to Claudia Lawrence? Last sightings, timeline, suspects and latest in search. Yorkshire Live. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/tv/what-happened-claudia-lawrence-last-28070803
Campbell, Z. (2024, March 18). What happened to Claudia Lawrence? A timeline of key events in the chef’s disappearance from last sighting to main suspects. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13187123/what-happened-claudia-lawrence-timeline.html
Christie, O. (2024, May 13). Police’s portrayal of missing chef Claudia Lawrence as a promiscuous woman who got a thrill out of dating married men is “built on a bed of lies”, her mother claims. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13409565/Police-portrayal-Claudia-Lawrence-promiscuous-woman-lies.html
Claudia Lawrence: Father of missing chef dies aged 74. (2021, February 14). BBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-56064671
Claudia Lawrence search: Sand Hutton lake drained by police. (2021, September 2). BBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-58420931
Fifield, N. (2009, September 24). Father of missing Claudia Lawrence queries why detectives waited six months to visit Cyprus. Gazette & Herald. https://www.gazetteherald.co.uk/news/4647087.father-of-missing-claudia-lawrence-queries-why-detectives-waited-six-months-to-visit-cyprus/
Former detective on Christopher Halliwell murder case releases memoirs. (2017, June 20). ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry/2017-06-20/former-detective-on-christopher-halliwell-murder-case-releases-memoirs
Harvey-Jenner, C. (2021, August 25). The disappearance of Claudia Lawrence: What actually happened to the missing 35-year-old? Marie Claire UK. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/reports/claudia-lawrence-disappearance-746515
Hicks, T. (2023, April 22). Claudia: New developments. North Yorks Enquirer. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from http://nyenquirer.uk/claudia-new-developments/
Hoe, D. (2021, August 25). Christopher Halliwell and Claudia Lawrence’s disappearance - why police don’t think it’s him. Yorkshire Live. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/local-news/christopher-halliwell-claudia-lawrences-disappearance-21398066
I will be the one who finds the truth: Mother of Claudia Lawrence still has hope eight years on. (2017, March 24). The Yorkshire Post. https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/i-will-be-the-one-who-finds-the-truth-mother-of-claudia-lawrence-still-has-hope-eight-years-on-1780740
Major Lang. (2019, July 25). Claudia Lawrence-Who Took Her? Medium. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://medium.com/@majorlang/claudia-lawrence-who-was-she-and-who-took-her-f3b096a1aa62
Miah, J. (2023, July 4). Timeline: Last known movements of Claudia Lawrence. Exmouth Journal. https://www.exmouthjournal.co.uk/true-crime-uk/20299493.timeline-last-known-movements-claudia-lawrence/
Ministry of Justice. (2019, June 28). 'Claudia’s law’ to lift families of missing people out of legal limbo. GOV.UK. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.gov.uk/government/news/claudia-s-law-to-lift-families-of-missing-people-out-of-legal-limbo
Moss, A. (n.d.). What happened  to Claudia? BBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/what_happened_to_claudia
Murray, J. (2013, March 10). Missing Claudia Lawrence did not come to Cyprus 4 years ago, insist pals. Express. https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/383078/Missing-Claudia-Lawrence-did-not-come-to-Cyprus-4-years-ago-insist-pals
OPERATION ESSENCE. (n.d.). Major Incident Public Portal. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://mipp.police.uk/operation/12HQ020113L36-PO1
Pidd, H. (2021, August 24). Claudia Lawrence: timeline of her disappearance. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/aug/24/claudia-lawrence-timeline-of-her-disappearance
redcard74. (2018, December 31). Crimewatch UK June 2009 [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-yK5SvGLIs
Russell, R. (2024, February 27). Claudia Lawrence’s mother marks missing daughter’s 50th birthday. BBC News. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-68403980