Advertisement

Detectives searching for Suzy Lamplugh's body call off search at home of prime suspect's mother

Detectives searching for Suzy Lamplugh's body call off search at home of prime suspect's mother (pictured) - South West News Service
Detectives searching for Suzy Lamplugh's body call off search at home of prime suspect's mother (pictured) - South West News Service

Police officers searching for estate agent Suzy Lamplugh's body have called off the search at the former home of the prime suspect's mother after no evidence was found. 

Miss Lamplugh was declared dead, presumed murdered, after going missing at the age of 25, having left her west London offices to meet a mystery client known only as Mr Kipper.

John Cannan was named by police as their prime suspect in 2002 and Miss Lamplugh's death has remained one of the UK's most notorious cold cases.

Last month police began excavating the garden of his mother's former home in Sutton Coldfield in the hope of finding the 25-year-old's remains.

But Cannan, who is serving life in prison for another murder, spoke out to insist the police will find nothing at the property.

The Metropolitan Police said on Monday that officers were in the process of leaving the property, where they have been carrying out work since October 29.

A "painstaking" search began after new information was received earlier this year about Miss Lamplugh's presumed murder in 1986.

A team of around 15 officers and staff have excavated parts of the garden, used ground-penetrating radar and had an archaeologist on site.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Wood, who leads the homicide and major crime command, said: "I would like to pay tribute to Suzy's family for their support during the Met's investigations into her disappearance, as well as for their courage and strength through decades of sorrow.

"This latest line of enquiry must have been traumatic for them, as well as bringing them some hope that they might find out more about what happened to Suzy, but they have always been supportive of our efforts to make progress in the investigation.

"The case remains open and the Met remains committed to bringing Suzy's killer to justice. We will continue to assess any new information that comes in."