Disappearance of Suzy Lamplugh - Police Investigations

Police Investigations

Further information: John Cannan#Suzy Lamplugh

Lamplugh was officially declared dead in 1994, while further police investigations in 1998 and 2000 failed to uncover any trace of her.

There has been speculation that convicted rapist and killer John Cannan could have killed Lamplugh, as he was released from a hostel only days before she went missing. Also, it has been claimed that Cannan's nickname in prison was 'Kipper'. However, despite investigations there is no hard evidence. Cannan has denied any involvement.

In 2000 a former girlfriend of John Cannan, Gilly Paige, told police that he had suggested Lamplugh's body was buried at Norton Barracks, a former RAF barracks in Worcestershire. One of Cannan's fellow prisoners told police that Cannan had buried Lamplugh under the patio of his mother's house in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.

Lamplugh had been working as a beautician on the ocean liner QE2 in 1982. Steve Wright, who was convicted in February 2008 of the murder of five prostitutes in Ipswich, worked as a steward on the QE2 at the same time. Police are investigating whether Wright was connected to Lamplugh's disappearance. However, the Metropolitan Police have stated that this is not a strong line of enquiry.

A new investigation began in August 2010, centred on an area in Worcestershire near to Pershore and Drakes Broughton.