30-Year Cold Case: Melanie Hall Murder Appeal

Avon and Somerset Police are renewing their public appeal for information concerning the unsolved murder of Melanie Hall, who disappeared almost three decades ago. Hall, then 25, was last seen at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath in the early hours of June 9, 1996. Her remains were discovered thirteen years later, on October 5, 2009, near junction 14 of the M5 motorway.

Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender will make the appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch Live, alongside an interview with Melanie's father and sister. The investigation is one of the longest-running for the police, with hundreds of officers involved over the years. The family has endured immense pain and uncertainty, and the appeal aims to provide them with long-awaited justice and answers.

Investigators are urging the public to recall the weekend of June 8-9, 1996, a time when Bath was busy due to the Euros football tournament. Melanie was last confirmed seen by her friends inside the nightclub at 1:10 AM on June 9. Police believe she may have left the club with her killer, as a coat she checked was collected. They are keen to know if anyone saw her that night, or if anyone acted suspiciously afterwards.

The location where her remains were found remains a focus, with police keeping an open mind about when her body was discarded. They are also seeking information about a car that might have been parked near the M5 slip road around the time she went missing or in the subsequent days. Crucially, Melanie's pale blue silk dress, black suede shoes, cream jacket, black handbag, and various personal items like cosmetics, a chequebook, bank card, watch, and earrings have never been recovered. Information leading to an arrest and conviction could be eligible for a reward of up to £20,000 from Crimestoppers.