The man in his 50s was held five days after officers released CCTV footage of a man seen lurking near her house the night her parents last spoke to her
A married dad was today arrested on suspicion of murdering missing chef Claudia Lawrence.
The man in his 50s, who lives within half a mile of Claudia’s home, was held five days after officers released CCTV footage of a man seen lurking near her house on the night her parents last spoke with her.
It is believed this could be the fourth time police have spoken to the dad, whose wife was being comforted by one of their grown-up sons today.
A local landlady said the dad previously joked about being interviewed by police when Claudia went missing in 2009 aged 35.
She said: “He told me how police had gone round to his house but they questioned lots of people at the time.
“He did joke about it but at the time he was one of a number.”
The latest development was believed to be linked to the CCTV investigation and a recent search of the alleyway behind Claudia’s home in Heworth, York.
The officer leading the murder inquiry described it as a “critical phase in seeking the truth” about what happened to Claudia, who went missing six years ago.
Police said in a statement today: “Searches are being conducted which are expected to be ongoing over a number of days.
“No further details relating to the arrest will be provided at this stage of the investigation. Claudia has not been found.”
Claudia’s father Peter Lawrence, 68, said the arrest was “totally out of the blue.”
He added: “Any progress is good. We have been here before.”
Police have up to 96 hours to question the suspect before they must charge or release him.
It is the third arrest in what has become one of Britain’s biggest unsolved murder cases.
A 59-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder last year but but released without charge and another is still on bail on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
Peter Lawrence’s spokesman Martin Dales said: “I’m encouraged by the police activity. There have only been three arrests in six years, nobody has been charged with anything nor is there a crime scene.
“There’s still quite a bit to do. We’ve had highs and lows throughout all of this. It’s now a waiting game and that’s what we have learnt to do these last six years.”
Jen King, one of Claudia’s closest friends, said today: “Everyone wants closure but they’ve already arrested two people and got nowhere. You just thave to wait and see what happens.”
Claudia was last seen returning home from her job as a chef at the University of York on March 18 2009. She phoned her parents that evening and texted a friend but has not been heard from since.
She was reported missing after failing to turn up for work the next day.
In 2013 a Major Crime Unit was brought in to review the hunt for Claudia. Her mum said she had “complete faith” in them.