Avon and Somerset Police investigating the murder of the Bath woman Melanie Hall have today made a fresh appeal for information that they hope could give them a breakthrough in their inquiry.
On the fourth anniversary of the discovery of Melanie’s remains, detectives have revealed they have received recent intelligence which they describe as ‘significant and very interesting.’
Det Supt Mike Courtiour, leading the murder inquiry, said: “Over the past four years we have received information, intelligence and names that we have taken seriously, researched and thoroughly investigated.
“We have recently received information concerning the origin of the blue rope that was used to tie up Melanie’s body. It is significant information and we are actively working on that line of inquiry. We are working with forensic scientists in relation to the rope and the circumstances of where that particular length of rope came from.
“Also, we have recently found and recovered a car that may be relevant to events in 1996 when Melanie disappeared.
“It is a white A-registered Mark 1 Volkswagen Golf GTI cabriolet which is currently being examined by forensic scientists. At this stage we do not know if it is connected with the case, but it is a very interesting and possibly significant line of inquiry.
“If anyone has any information about the circumstances of Melanie’s disappearance and her murder or can connect that car to what happened to her in 1996, please contact us and tell us what you know.”
Anyone with information can contact, in confidence, the Murder Incident Room on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Melanie’s elder sister Dominique said: “We have always been hopeful that someone would be brought to justice and that we would find out the details of what happened to Melanie. It won’t make the future any different – there will never be closure for our family. But it would be a great consolation if someone would search their conscience and come forward to police with that vital information we need.”
Melanie’s father Steve Hall said: “This is very positive news. Gradually the pieces of the jigsaw are being put together to bring Melanie’s killer or killers to justice. We always knew it would take a long time, but these new developments appear very encouraging. It’s time for whoever has information about Melanie’s murder to come forward and bring this to an end – because it will come to an end eventually. The police won’t give up until they get a result.”
Melanie Hall was 25 when she disappeared from a nightclub in Bath in June 1996. Her remains were found 13 years later next to a motorway slip road in South Gloucestershire on October 5, 2009.
A post-mortem showed that she had severe head injuries. Her body was wrapped in black bin bags and tied with blue rope before being left in vegetation alongside the slip-road.
Supt Courtiour said: “Bringing Melanie Hall’s killer or killers to justice remains one of our highest priorities.
“On this fourth anniversary of the discovery of her body, I can stress that the investigation is very much active. It has been, and continues to be, one of the most detailed and thorough murder investigations in the force’s history.”
