Police 'disappointed' after not finding Mary Bastholm in Gloucester cafe search
It's thought she is a victim of serial killer Fred West
Last updated 27th May 2021
Gloucestershire Police has responded, after finding "no items of relevance" in its search for a suspected victim of serial killer Fred West.
Officers had been conducting excavation work for the past fortnight, in the cellar of The Clean Plate Café in Gloucester, hoping to unearth evidence of missing Mary Bastholm.
She worked at the site during the 1960s, when it was called the Pop-In Café. West was known as a regular customer.
The latest search had followed new information from a TV production company, suggesting Miss Bastholm could be buried there. Blue material had been found by the documentary team.
The then 15 year-old was last seen 53 years ago, wearing a blue and white dress with a blue jacket. She was also carrying a blue bag.
'Everyone working on this is disappointed we didn’t find Mary'
On Thursday 27 May, Assistant Chief Constable Craig Holden from Gloucestershire Police said: "Each area of interest, identified by a team of nationally recognised experts, has been methodically and meticulously investigated.
"No human remains or items of relevance to our enquiry were found. The blue material photographed on an endoscope camera by the TV production company was not identified, but we did establish it was likely to be connected to a buried pipe.
"Everyone working on this is disappointed that we didn’t find Mary. Allowing her family to finally lay Mary to rest after over 50 years was always the most important reason for our excavation.
"Our thoughts are with Mary’s family, whose continued dignity over recent weeks and many years before, has been humbling".
'The new information made it the right thing to do'
"The information presented to us by the production company on the 7th May was significant, and after careful assessment it was appropriate and proportionate that we carried out this work.
"We have always been clear that we may not find Mary’s remains. Sadly that proved to be the case, but it does not mean we were wrong to look – the new information made it the right thing to do.
'The victims and their families will never be forgotten'
"Our gratitude once again goes to the local community for their patience and understanding during our investigation. We don’t underestimate the disruption caused by our work and the feelings this will have evoked for many.
"Gloucester has once again come under the national spotlight due to the legacy of heinous crimes committed many years ago. The victims and their families will never be forgotten".