Melanie Hall’s remains were not discovered until 2009 near the M5 motorway and her killer remains at large
Police are launching a fresh bid to finally solve the murder of Melanie Hall almost 30 years ago. The 25-year-old was last seen by a friend near the dance floor at what was then Cadillacs nightclub in Bath at 1.10am on June 9, 1996.
Her remains weren’t found until October 2009, wrapped in rope and plastic bags, 28 miles north, alongside a slip road joining the M5 motorway near Thornbury, Gloucestershire. It remains one of Britain’s longest-running murder enquiries, having remained active for nearly three decades.
Officers from Avon and Somerset Police have now begun a thorough “root and branch” review of the case, digitising the contents of 90 boxes of evidence to examine it using modern technology.
A group of fewer than 100 “persons of interest” has been reduced to under 20 and detectives are carrying out new interviews with alibi witnesses to establish whether they stick to their original statements.
On the evening Melanie vanished, England had achieved a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in the opening match of Euro 96. She had been left at the club after her German doctor boyfriend went home, as did a pair they had been spending time with.
One witness saw a woman resembling Melanie’s description at around 1.20am sitting in an armchair talking with a tanned man dressed in a brown silk shirt, black trousers and black shoes, reports Somerset Live.
The woman left at 1.45am with the man trailing behind her up the stairs towards the exit, according to a witness.
Police have issued a fresh appeal to trace this individual and have released an updated colour version of an e-fit that was originally shared.
Det Chief Insp Ben Lavender, who is leading the cold case team, said: “He was described as being very smart looking. If that person was you or you recognise that description then please let us know.”
The man was white, in his mid to late 20s, 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes and was clean shaven.
On the evening she vanished, Melanie was wearing a pale blue silk dress, black suede mule shoes, a cream single-breasted long-sleeved jacket and was carrying a black satchel-type handbag. These items have never been recovered.
Over the years, eleven people have been arrested in connection with the case, but no charges have been brought. Melanie, a psychology graduate, was working in a temporary clerical role at the Royal United hospital in Bath whilst residing with her parents, Steve and Pat, eight miles from Bath in Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts.
Her remains were discovered 13 years after her disappearance by the northbound slip road leading onto the M5 at junction 14, heading towards Gloucester. Mr Lavender described it as a “strange” location to abandon a body, given the more isolated spots nearby.
“So it’s a mystery for us that we would really like help with understanding. The key to unlocking it is the suspect potentially could have links northbound and to Bath and drawing in on that would be really interesting,” the officer said.
Melanie had suffered a fractured skull and is reported to have sustained a broken jaw and cheekbone, suggesting she had been subjected to a brutal assault.
She was naked and had been tightly bound in multiple bin bags, secured with a 13-metre length of 4mm thick blue nylon rope.
The fact her clothing was removed suggests her killer had forensic awareness. A partial DNA profile has been recovered from the rope and bags, with a forensic review currently re-examining the items using new techniques.
Mr Lavender said of the evidence: “Both of those are key exhibits for us to look at exploiting all the new technology out there to see what could be found on them.”
Among those under investigation is twice-convicted killer Christopher Halliwell, who kidnapped two women from outside nightclubs 27 miles away in Swindon.
Halliwell, 61, is currently serving a whole life sentence for the murders of Sian O’Callaghan, 22, and Becky Godden Edwards, 20, who were both taken in vehicles after leaving nightclubs. Like Melanie, they were also young and petite, had been stripped of clothing and were abandoned in rural locations within adjacent police force areas after being abducted from urban settings.
Both Melanie and Sian suffered severe head injuries. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here
Speaking about Halliwell, Mr Lavender said: “He’s a person who’s killed in close proximity so we are considering all people who would be relevant to the investigation. He’s not a strong line of inquiry for us and so I wouldn’t put him above anyone else.”
As the 30th anniversary of Melanie’s death approaches, the Operation Denmark team are stepping up their investigation. Mr Lavender said: “None of us wanted to be here now, having not solved this and brought some comfort to the family and answers but we are, and so we are using this year as a significant milestone to reapply to the public.”
Officers believe that a former boyfriend, acquaintance or someone who lived with Melanie could be concealing crucial information that might crack the case, with plans to re-interview those who provided alibis.
The senior officer added: “Somebody knows what happened to Melanie whether that’s just the person who killed her or they’ve told somebody else, or somebody else witnessed something on the evening, maybe someone returned acting suspiciously, blood was seen, anything like that, is really important to us.”
Speaking directly to the perpetrator, Mr Lavender cautioned: “We are still investigating this and how this plays out now for the killer is really down to them.
“If they want to control the narrative and have those conversations with their loved ones and their family before we come knocking on their door then they’ve got that opportunity because as soon as we come for you the next time you have a conversation with your family may be in a prison establishment.”
Anyone with relevant information is urged to contact 101 and request Avon and Somerset Constabulary, mentioning they possess details connected to Operation Denmark, or provide information through the dedicated appeal via the Major Incident Public Portal here.
Alternatively, Crimestoppers accepts anonymous reports on 0800 555111 or through its website.
