Suzy Lamplugh disappearance: Fresh police appeal to say 'it is not too late' to help murder investigation

Scotland Yard has issued a fresh appeal for information in their investigation into the disappearance and murder of Suzy Lamplugh, insisting it is "not too late" to come forward.

The Metropolitan Police Service’s investigation into the disappearance and murder of Suzy Lamplugh is ongoing, and there are striking similarities to the Sarah Everard case which prompted widespread protests this weekend.

Suzy Lamplugh was 25 when she was reported missing on Monday July, 28, 1986. She was last seen in Fulham, West London, at around 1pm on that day.

Suzy was working as an estate agent, and left her office to meet a prospective client to view a flat, but she did not arrive back at her office.

Her car, a white Ford Fiesta, was later found abandoned in Stevenage Road, Fulham.

Suzy is presumed dead, and is believed to have been abducted and murdered. Her body has never been found.

But police believe that one piece of information could provide a breakthrough given the benefit of modern technology that was not at their disposal in the early stages of their investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves, the senior investigating officer, said on Monday: "We would urge anyone who believes they might know something about what happened to Suzy all those years ago to come forward. Whether you saw something that you thought was unconnected at the time, or you felt under pressure to protect someone you knew – it is not too late.

"The passage of time has not weakened our determination to seek justice and get the answers that the Lamplugh family continue to wait for. They have always been supportive of our efforts to make progress in the investigation, and they have shown remarkable strength despite the immense sadness they have endured over the years."

More than 34 years have passed, and the police investigation into Suzy’s disappearance is still active with detectives from the Met’s Specialist Casework Team, part of Central Specialist Crime, continuing to pursue leads.

In 2018 and 2019, officers completed two extensive searches with the support of a team of forensic experts – one at a property in the West Midlands, and the other on open land in Worcestershire – as part of the investigation. No evidence was found.

In August 2019 the Specialist Casework Team received further information. This related to the sighting of man, who had apparently disposed a large bag in the Grand Union Canal in July 1986.

This was treated as a new line of enquiry, but it was found that the part of the canal mentioned by the witness and the surrounding canal stretches had been extensively searched by the Met’s Marine Support Unit and London Fire Brigade Search Unit in September 2014.

The 2014 search was conducted following an unrelated homicide investigation. During that search, no items were recovered which were connected to the Suzy Lamplugh investigation and the line of enquiry re the 1986 sighting was closed.

One man was arrested in December 2000 and questioned, and a file was later submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service. However, it was decided that there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution.

A statement issued by Scotland Yard read: "This has been a significant case for the Met, both in terms of its length and complexity, and because of the sense of tragedy of a young woman vanishing with no apparent trace.

"This case has been the subject of a number of high-profile media appeals, resulting in hundreds of pieces of information from members of the public which have been carefully followed up by officers.

"We will continue to ensure that no stone is unturned, as we know that one piece of information could provide the breakthrough for detectives.

"Today, we have the benefit of being able to utilise cutting-edge forensic science and other technology where needed, to find and analyse evidence. Officers will continue to revisit forensic opportunities where viable. We will continue to assess any new information."