Nearly three decades after a young Bath woman vanished from a city nightclub, a national charity is renewing its call for anyone with information to come forward, with a substantial reward on offer.
Photo courtesy of Avon & Somerset Police
Crimestoppers has launched a new appeal for information into the unsolved murder of Melanie Hall, 25, who was last seen in the early hours of 9th June 1996 at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath.
Melanie, who was from Bradford Leigh near Bradford-on-Avon, never returned home.
Her disappearance remained a mystery for thirteen years, until October 2009, when a workman discovered black bin bags containing human remains on the northbound slip road of the M5 near Thornbury, South Gloucestershire. Those remains were later confirmed to be Melanie’s.
No one has ever been brought to justice for her murder.
Now Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £20,000 for information passed exclusively and anonymously to the charity that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The reward is available for six months, expiring on 3rd September 2026.
Karen Macdonald, South West Regional Manager at Crimestoppers, said the pain of Melanie’s unsolved case continued to weigh heavily on those who knew and loved her.
She said: “It’s been 30 years since Melanie’s family last saw their much-loved daughter and sister.
“The pain of not knowing what truly happened – or who was responsible – continues to this day.”
Ms Macdonald added that the charity believed someone in the community still held information that could prove crucial.
“We know that after all this time, someone out there still holds information that could finally help uncover the truth.”
The charity is urging anyone with details, however seemingly minor, to get in touch.
A new colour e-fit of a potential suspect was released in January | Image © Avon & Somerset Police
Crimestoppers operates entirely independently of the police, and guarantees complete anonymity to all those who contact it.
Calls to its UK Contact Centre are never recorded, there is no caller line display, and no 1471 facility. Online contacts are also fully protected, with IP addresses never traced.
Anyone wishing to be eligible for the reward must contact Crimestoppers directly – information passed to the police will not qualify.
Those calling the charity’s freephone number, 0800 555 111, should request a reward code at the time of their initial contact. Those submitting information online at Crimestoppers-uk.org should use the ‘keeping in contact’ facility and request a reward code on first contact.
Crimestoppers is available around the clock, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at Crimestoppers-uk.org.
Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender, who is leading the investigation into Melanie’s murder, appeared on BBC One’s Crimewatch Live to ask people to cast their minds back to the weekend of Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June in 1996, when Melanie was last seen.
DCI Lavender said: “The murder of Melanie Hall is one of the longest running and highest profile investigations ever carried out by Avon and Somerset Police.
“Did you go to Cadillacs nightclub? Did you see Melanie that night? Has anyone spoken to you about that night and raised any concerns or suspicions?
“Does anyone you know act differently when they see or hear an appeal for information relating to this case?
“Even the smallest piece of information, no matter how significant it may seem, could be the key to solving this case. If you have any lingering doubts or nagging suspicions, please contact us.”
Since taking over the investigation in 2025, DCI Lavender has instigated a root and branch review. This includes digitalising all files and exhibits onto our major incident?database, reviewing almost 100 hours of CCTV, revisiting key witnesses to check whether the information they provided remains the same, as well as capitalising on any forensic?advancements or opportunities to use AI in the future.
You can report information through the designated appeal page on the Major Incident Public Portal here, or call 101 and say you have information for the Operation Denmark team.
