"Nothing significant found" in new searches for missing Bristol woman
Claire Holland disappeared almost a decade ago in 2012
Nothing of significance has been found in new searches for a woman who went missing in Bristol almost a decade ago.
Avon and Somerset Police have issued an update on their investigation into the disappearance of Claire Holland, who vanished in the city centre nine years ago.
She was 32 when she was reported missing by her family in June 2012, after visiting the Seamus O'Donnell's pub on St Nicholas Street.
Last week officers announced they were beginning new "intelligence led" searches across the city and released CCTV footage of Claire's final known movements in a bid to encourage people with information to come forward.
“Our first phase of targeted and intelligence-led search activity has now concluded in connection with the disappearance of 32-year-old Claire Holland," Detective Inspector Darren Hannant said.
“While nothing significant was found in these searches, we had a good response to the renewed public appeal for information through calls to 101 and to the independent charity Crimestoppers.
“We are following up all new lines of enquiry as we continue to work towards finding out what happened to Claire, who was last seen leaving the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street, Bristol, at around 11.15pm on Wednesday 6 June, 2012."
Officers have thanked Claire's family for their "wholehearted support" of the new appeal and say they will be kept updated on all progress made.
“We firmly believe there are people out there who know what happened to Claire and I would urge them to do the right thing by her family, and come forward now," Det Insp Hannant said.
A dedicated page has been sent up on Avon and Somerset Police's Major Incident Public Reporting site and you can provide information here.
You can also call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219172645, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A summary of things the police want to know is below:
- Were you in the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub on the night Claire was last seen – Wednesday 6 June, 2012? If you were and haven’t yet spoken to the police, please do so now. They want to identify everyone who spoke to Claire on the day she disappeared.
- Please watch the CCTV clips – did you see a woman matching Claire’s description (also see description below) heading into Bristol city centre from the direction of St Nicholas Street after 11pm. You may have seen her elsewhere in Bristol on the same evening - if so, the police want to speak to you.
- Were you a friend or acquaintance of Claire? If you didn’t speak to police at the time she went missing, or since, now is the time. They need to know as much as they can about what Claire was doing or sharing with others in the days and weeks leading up to her going missing?
- Has someone told you information about this case which may have sounded unusual or suspicious? Has anyone confided in you about what may have happened to Claire? Now is the time to put aside any doubts you have had about making contact and help officers find answers for the sake of Claire’s family and loved ones.
Claire is described as white, 5ft tall, of slim build, with shoulder-length brown hair, which was sometimes tied back in a ponytail.