Suspect in historic missing person case released on bail
Claire Holland disappeared after visiting a pub in Bristol City Centre back in 2012
Last updated 25th Mar 2022
A man, arrested last night (March 24) in connection with the disappearance of a woman in Bristol a decade ago, has been released on bail.
Claire Holland, who was 32 at the time and from Lawrence Weston, vanished after visiting the Seamus O'Connell's pub on St Nicholas Street in the city centre on the night of Wednesday 6 June 2012.
The arrested man, who is 40, was first detained in connection with the case in 2019 but has never been charged with an offence.
In a press release announcing his release, Avon and Somerset Police say they need witnesses to come forward.
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Hannant said: “We carried out a number of searches in Bristol back in November and issued a renewed appeal for information, which prompted a number of calls from members of the public and for that we’re grateful.
“That information has been reviewed and examined and this week we re-arrested a man in connection with this investigation.
"He has been released on conditional bail.
“Claire’s disappearance is still being treated as suspicious as there remains no known reason why she would choose to disappear.
"We are providing updates and support to her family as our enquiries develop."
The police say they believe there may be people out there who know "crucial information" that could help the investigation and they are urging them to come forward.
“We have a dedicated appeal page on the Major Incident Public Reporting site, and would ask anyone with information who hasn’t yet come forward to do so," DCI Hannant said.
You can provide information online at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/5219C66-PO1 – or you can also call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219172645, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
By complete chance, yesterday's arrest came little more than an hour before a march took place through the city centre in support of women's safety.
Organised by the City Council funded group Bristol Nights, the event called Shine A Light passed right by St Nicholas Street where Claire was last seen alive.
Those involved called on everyone to stop accepting the harassment of women in any setting, with speeches taking place at the amphitheatre on the Harbourside.
It came after a survey found 97 percent of women in Bristol have been the victim of harassment in the city.