Crimewatch: Police launch new appeal 30 years on from murder of Melanie Hall in Bath
Police will launch a new public appeal for information about the murder of a university graduate nearly 30 years ago.
Melanie Hall was last seen in a nightclub in Bath following a night out with friends in the early hours of 9 June 1996.
The 25-year-old hospital worker was last seen at Cadillacs nightclub in Walcot Street at around 1.45am.
Workers found his remains next to the northbound slide at junction 14 of the M5 motorway on 5 October 2009.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender, who is leading the investigation, will make the appeal on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live.
The program will also include an interview with Miss Hall’s father Steve and sister Dominique.
“The murder of Melanie Hall is one of the longest-running and highest-profile investigations ever carried out by Avon and Somerset Police, and hundreds of officers have worked on the case over the years,” Mr Lavender said.
“Melanie’s family has endured unimaginable pain and uncertainty for almost three decades and has 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 desperately need.
“As we approach this important anniversary, I want people to think back to the weekend of June 8th and 9th in 1996.
“England were playing Switzerland in their opening game of the Euros and the Bath center was exceptionally busy.
“Melanie had spent an evening with her boyfriend and friends and went to the old Cadillacs nightclub.
“It is confirmed that he was last seen at 1.10am on Sunday, June 9, as his friends were leaving the club. He was sitting alone at the edge of the dance floor.
“Did you go to Cadillacs nightclub? Did you see Melanie that night? Did anyone talk to you about that night and express any concerns or doubts?”
“Does anyone you know act differently when they see or hear about a request for information about this case?
“We believe there is a strong possibility that Melanie left the nightclub with her killer as the coat she left in the cloakroom was collected, but she may have met them outside or got into a car.
“If you have information or suspicions about anyone who may be linked to Melanie’s disappearance, now is the time to let us know. Please allow us to decide whether the information is relevant to the investigation.”
Mr Lavender said the discovery of Ms Hall’s remains at junction 14 of the M5 in 2009 was a pivotal moment but provided only some of the answers.
“The location where Melanie’s remains were found remains an important focus for us,” he said.
“We are keeping an open mind as to when Melanie’s body was dumped at this location. This could have been in the hours after her disappearance or in the days that followed.”
“Did you see a car parked on the slippery road near where it joins the M5 in the early hours of Sunday 9 June, or in the days or weeks thereafter? Do you know anyone from Bath connected to this route?”
Ms. Hall’s clothing – pale blue silk dress, black suede mule shoes, cream single-breasted long-sleeved coat and black satchel-type purse – was never found.
Miss Hall’s cosmetics, Midland checkbook and bank card, as well as jewelry items such as the Next watch and silver drop earrings, were also not found.
“Melanie’s remains were found without the clothes or items she had with her the night she disappeared,” the detective said.
“She was wearing a pale blue silk dress with a scoop neckline, a size 5 or 6, black suede mule shoes with front straps and open toes, a cream single-breasted, long-sleeved jacket, and a black satchel-type bag.
“Melanie’s purse contained cosmetics, a Midland checkbook and debit card. Also missing are pieces of jewellery, including a Next watch with an expanding bracelet and silver drop earrings.
“Have you seen any of these items or do you know where they might be?”
Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for Miss Hall’s murder.
