Police ‘close to catching’ killer of Melanie Hall
POLICE today insisted that they were closing in on the killer of nightclubber Melanie Hall 20 years ago, despite releasing the latest suspect without charge.
Melanie Hall disappeared in 1996 and her remains were found dumped by a motorway 13 years later
No one has ever been charged with her murder but in June police announced they now had a DNA profile from where her body was found.
Miss Hall's parents offered a £50,000 reward to find the killer which was doubled by a national newspaper.
Shortly afterwards a 45-year-old man was arrested when he voluntarily walked into a police station and asked to speak to detectives.
I firmly believe we're getting ever closer to finding out who was responsible, especially with the advancements in DNA technology
But police announced yesterday he had been released without charge.
Detective Superintendent Andy Bevan said: "We've updated Melanie's parents Steve and Pat on this latest development and have reiterated our determination to bring their daughter's murderer to justice.
Miss Hall's parents offered a £50,000 reward to find the killer
"I firmly believe we're getting ever closer to finding out who was responsible, especially with the advancements in DNA technology.
"I have a team of officers and staff actively working on this case and I'm extremely grateful to the public, especially the residents of Bath, for their continuing support and their response to all our previous appeals.
Her remains were found in undergrowth by junction 14 of the M5 in Thornbury, Glostonbury
"It's never too late to come forward and speak to us. Even the smallest piece of information may prove to be the key to solving this case."
Miss Hall was last seen at 1.10am on Sunday, June 9 1996 on a night out with friends, sitting on a stool at the edge of the dance-floor in Cadillacs nightclub, Bath.
Her remains were found in undergrowth by junction 14 of the M5 in Thornbury, Glos., around 25 miles from Bath by a workman on 5 October 2009.
Her belongings - including a pale blue silk dress, a black satchel and silver drop earrings - have never been found.
A 44-year-old man from Bath was also arrested in November 2013 on suspicion of Miss Hall's murder but released without charge after several months on bail.