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Claudia Lawrence murder suspect's home searched with police dogs Man held in Claudia Lawrence inquiry is released on bail
(about 4 hours later)
Police with sniffer dogs have been searching the Tyneside house of a 59-year-old man who was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of killing Claudia Lawrence, who vanished in 2009. A 59-year old man arrested on suspicion of killing Claudia Lawrence, who vanished in 2009, has been released on police bail as detectives continued forensic examinations of two homes used by him in the north of England.
North Yorkshire police declined to confirm or deny reports that a second team of detectives had started a dig at a second house 100 miles away in York associated with the suspect, Michael Snelling. Officers from North Yorkshire police used sniffer dogs in a detailed search of the Tyneside home where Michael Snelling was arrested on Tuesday. Police declined to confirm or deny reports that a second team of detectives had started a dig at a second house used by him 100 miles away in York.
People living close to the North Shields address, which is believed to be Snelling's mother's house, said the former York University lab technician was arrested on Tuesday morning and his car was also seized. No body has been found. Forensic examinations are expected to continue for several days. "The investigation team would like to stress that Claudia has not been found," a spokesperson said. "Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests in the future as the review continues."
The swoop was not expected by the Lawrence family, who have campaigned to keep Claudia's disappearence in the public eye. Family friend Martin Dales said Claudia's father, Peter Lawrence, was "shellshocked" at the first arrest in the five-year investigation. Lawrence, a chef at York University, was 35 when she was reported missing by her father on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at about 3.05pm on 18 March, walking home, and that night she spoke to both her parents on the phone. It is thought something happened to her after she left for work early the next day.
Lawrence, a chef at York University, was 35 when she was reported missing by her father on 20 March 2009. She was last seen at about 3.05pm on 18 March, walking home, and that night she spoke to both her parents on the phone. It is thought something happened to her after she left for work early the next day. Snelling's run-down semi-detached home in York being searched by detectives is only half a mile from the Heworth area, where Lawrence lived alone. People living close to the North Shields address, which is believed to be Snelling's mother's house, said the former York University lab technician was arrested on Tuesday morning and his car was also seized.
The swoop was not expected by the Lawrence family, who have campaigned to keep Claudia's disappearance in the public eye. Family friend Martin Dales said Claudia's father, Peter Lawrence, was "shellshocked" at the first arrest in the five-year investigation.
Snelling's run-down semi-detached home in York being searched by detectives is only half a mile from the Heworth area, where Lawrence lived alone.
Joan Lawrence, Claudia's 70-year-old mother said she was not getting her hopes up yet. "I don't know what this might mean but it's not the first time there's been a big development which has led to nothing," she told the Mirror. "I've been told I must continue as normal. I don't know how I'm going to do that. Somehow I get the strength and courage to go on."Joan Lawrence, Claudia's 70-year-old mother said she was not getting her hopes up yet. "I don't know what this might mean but it's not the first time there's been a big development which has led to nothing," she told the Mirror. "I've been told I must continue as normal. I don't know how I'm going to do that. Somehow I get the strength and courage to go on."
Dales said that a recent Crimewatch appeal and reconstruction marking the fifth anniversary of the disappearance in March had given the police useful new leads. The family also raised the profile of the case in February this year around what would have been Claudia's 40th birthday.Dales said that a recent Crimewatch appeal and reconstruction marking the fifth anniversary of the disappearance in March had given the police useful new leads. The family also raised the profile of the case in February this year around what would have been Claudia's 40th birthday.
Police said the forensic examinations would continue for several days. "The investigation team would like to stress that Claudia has not been found," a spokesperson said. "Police cannot rule out the possibility of further arrests in the future as the review continues." Last year, a new investigation team conducted a detailed, two month re-examination of Lawrence's home. Then, in March this year, senior officers announced new lines of inquiry on the fifth anniversary of the day she failed to turn up for work.
Last year, a new investigation team conducted a detailed, two month re-examination of Lawrence's home. Then, in March, senior officers announced new lines of inquiry on the fifth anniversary of the day she failed to turn up for work.
The announcement coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch. The new forensic examination of her house uncovered the fingerprints of people who had not yet come forward.The announcement coincided with a fresh appeal on BBC's Crimewatch. The new forensic examination of her house uncovered the fingerprints of people who had not yet come forward.
They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in the university chef's Vauxhall Corsa. Lawrence's mobile and rucksack have never been found.They also found the DNA profile of an unknown man on a cigarette butt in the university chef's Vauxhall Corsa. Lawrence's mobile and rucksack have never been found.