A “dark secret” lurking in Bath is the key to solving the murder of Melanie Hall, according to the officer leading the hunt.
Supt James Riccio is convinced someone in the city knows what happened to the 25-year-old hospital worker nearly 30 years ago. The last confirmed sighting of Melanie was inside now-defunct Cadillacs nightclub in the early hours of Sunday, June 9, 1996.
She was sitting on a stool near the dance floor at 1.10am. Her remains were not found until October 2009, near the M5 motorway. Speaking outside the old Cadillacs building, Supt Riccio has renewed his appeal for information.
And he said: “In Bath, there is someone who holds a dark secret. Whether that’s whoever killed Melanie or knows who killed Melanie – and we need those people to come forward. Somebody killed Melanie, someone disposed of Melanie and that may have been one or two individuals.
“But someone would have said something, someone would have been acting suspiciously, someone would have broken away from their group that evening watching the football and then continued on their own elsewhere.
“Someone may be acting suspiciously every time Melanie’s name is mentioned. Those little snippets are what we need someone to come forwards and tell us.”
Eleven people have been arrested in connection with the case over the years but no one has been charged. The renewed Avon and Somerset Police appeal comes as a Channel 5 documentary re-examines the case.
An unconfirmed report later places Melanie, who lived in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, outside the club talking to a man. The witness says she then left with him. Melanie was a clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Somerset.
England had played their opening game in the Euro 96 football championship against Switzerland on the Saturday afternoon. A workman found her remains in a bin bag next to the northbound slip road of the M5 at junction 14 in Thornbury, Glos, on October 5, 13 years later.
Her clothing – a pale blue silk dress, black suede mule shoes, a cream single-breasted long-sleeved jacket and a black satchel-type handbag – have never been found.
Some of her other belongings, including a chequebook, bank card, a Next watch and silver drop earrings, are also missing. An e-fit was provided by the witness at the time and police are asking members of the public to look at the picture in the hope he may be recognised.
Supt Riccio added: “On the 8th June, Melanie Hall came to the nightclub behind us as she was having a night out with her boyfriend. Melanie became separated from her boyfriend and the last confirmed sighting of her by somebody who knew her was at 1.10am.
“I believe she was seen at the bottom of the stairs with a male who was described as 5ft 9in to 5ft 10in, white with dark hair. The witness then saw Melanie leave with this individual.
Supt Riccio said: “I believe this male was involved in Melanie’s killing. I believe Melanie knew her killer and I believe that male with Melanie had something to do with her killing.
“I believe she knew him, I believe that was Melanie outside and Melanie left with that individual. There’s no evidence of an abduction, no evidence of somebody screaming, hence why I believe Melanie knew the individual and left with him.
“I still strongly believe that somebody knows what happened to Melanie and somebody will watch this documentary and look at the anguish the family are facing every single day. Do it for them, come forwards. We can protect you, give us that information and we will bring the killer of Melanie Hall to justice.”
In the documentary, Melanie’s family speak about the terrible impact her disappearance had on them. Dad Steve speaks of the family’s “deep sorrow, and deep grief”, while expressing his firm belief there are people out there who know who is responsible for her murder. He said: “When Melanie was murdered, it wasn’t just one person’s life that was taken, it changed and ruined many lives after.”
Do you know the man in the e-fit? He’s described as white, in his mid to late 20s, 5ft 10in, of medium build, with dark brown hair, dark brown eyes, bushy eyebrows and clean shaven. He was wearing black trousers, black shoes and a brown silk shirt. It’s possible he had a gold hooped earring in his right ear and wore a flashy gold watch.
You can provide information directly through the Major Incident Public Portal and the dedicated Melanie Hall appeal page here : You can also contact us via 101. Please inform the handler you are calling about the Major Crime Investigation Team’s Operation Denmark inquiry. Or you can provide information anonymously through Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name or trace your call. You can also visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org
The Body in the Bag: The Murder of Melanie Hall, will be shown on Channel 5 at 9pm tonight, Thursday 28 September.