Officers act on new information in case of estate agent who disappeared in 1986

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Investigators are searching areas of land in Worcestershire after new information about Suzy Lamplugh’s disappearance came to light, the Metropolitan police have said.

Lamplugh, an estate agent who went missing in 1986 aged 25, was declared dead in 1994 and presumed murdered. There have been no convictions over her death.

The Met said in a statement that officers were searching areas of Pershore after a recent tip-off. “Officers received new information about Miss Lamplugh’s disappearance following the publicity around the search of a property in Sutton Coldfield in November 2018, carried out as part of the investigation,” a spokesperson said.

“All the information was reviewed. Information relating to the areas we are currently searching was assessed and the decision was taken to make further enquiries.”

Lamplugh disappeared after leaving her offices in west London to meet a client known as Mr Kipper. Police have launched a number of searches for her remains over the years.

John Cannan was named as the prime suspect in the case in 2002 and speculation began last year after a home previously owned by his mother was searched.

Cannan was jailed in 1989, following the rape of a woman in Reading in the same year as Lamplugh’s disappearance, as well as the rape and murder of Shirley Banks and the attempted kidnapping of Julia Holman. He was questioned in relation to Lamplugh’s murder several times, but denies the allegations.

In November, police obtained a warrant to search Sheila Cannan’s former home in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, after receiving new information about Lamplugh’s disappearance.

Police spent two weeks digging up a garden and garage area at the home. After an extensive search involving 15 officers, an archaeologist and a ground-penetrating radar failed to find new evidence, the search was closed.

Assisted by West Mercia police, officers will remain on the site in Pershore until inquiries have been completed. The force said the landowner was in no way connected to the search being undertaken or the investigation.

A Met spokesperson said: “We will not be commenting on any speculation surrounding the search. Miss Lamplugh’s family have been notified of the new searches.

“The ongoing investigation into Miss Lamplugh’s disappearance is being led by the Met’s central specialist crime command. Officers will continue to assess any new information received in connection with this case.”