Melanie Hall’s chilling last sighting and mystery row that could crack case open
‘Young and vibrant daughter’ Melanie Hall went missing on June 9, 1996, with parts of her body later discovered in a plastic bag on the M5. What happened to the 25-year-old remains a mystery even after almost 30 years, with no one convicted for her gruesome death.
The hospital clerical worker, from Bradford on Avon, disappeared after a night out at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath. A new Channel 5 documentary shines a light on the unsolved murder and hears from her devastated family members, Melanie’s father Steve and sister Dominique.
The Body in the Bag: The Murder of Melanie Hall, which airs tonight at 9pm, also hears from Senior Investigating Officer Supt James Riccio. Here, we take a look at her last sighting and the man police suspect was involved.
Nadiya Hussain’s life off camera from traumatic arranged marriage to family regret[1]
Melanie Hall went missing in 2009 (
PA)
She was last seen in Cadillacs nightclub in Bath (
PA)
The last confirmed sighting of Melanie, who worked at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, was at 1.10am on Sunday 9 June, 1996. She was sitting on a stool at the edge of the dancefloor in Cadillacs nightclub, now Walcot House, in Walcot Street, Bath, following a night out with friends.
It wasn’t until years later, on October 5, 2009, that her remains were found next to the northbound slip road of the M5 at junction 14 (Thornbury) by a workman. They discovered bones, including a pelvis, thigh bone, and skull, which were analysed before being confirmed as belonging to Melanie two days later.
Police concluded that Melanie had been tied up with rope, and suffered severe fractures to her face, however the cause of death wasn’t declared. In the decades that have followed, various people have been arrested in connection with the murder, but have been released.
In an appeal published on Wednesday, Avon and Somerset Police[2] said that Melanie’s belongings had never been found. They include a pale blue silk dress with a round neck, black suede mule shoes with straps across the front and an open toe, size 5 or 6, a cream single-breasted, long-sleeved jacket and a black satchel-type handbag.
Photo issued by Avon and Somerset Police of missing clothes, handbag and shoes similar to the ones belonging to Melanie Hall. (
PA)
In Melanie’s handbag were cosmetics and a Midland cheque book and bank card. Also missing are items of jewellery including a Next watch with an expanding bracelet and silver drop earrings. They also called for information regarding an unconfirmed sighting of a woman, potentially matching Melanie’s description, who was engaged in an argument with a man in Old Orchard, around the corner from the nightclub entrance – between 1.45am and 2am. “We don’t know whether this was Melanie, so if anyone has further details which could help on this aspect, please call us,” the statement said.
Supt James Riccio, who is leading the investigation into Melanie’s murder, said he hoped the new documentary would trigger memories and prick consciences, encouraging those with information to contact the police today. He said: “Just one small piece of information could solve this case and help us uncover the truth about what happened to Melanie that night.
“My team and I continue to be humbled by the courage, bravery and support that Melanie’s family have shown over the years and we desperately want to find answers for them. We will always be led by the evidence but based on the information we have amassed and meticulously reviewed, based on the 6,000 plus investigative actions, 2,000 statements, the accounts, the intelligence, the deposition location.”
An e-fit which was released as part of a public appeal in 1996 of a man seen inside Cadillacs nightclub with a woman matching Melanie Hall’s description (
PA)
Her body was found dumped by the side of the M5 (
Christopher Jones/REX/Shutterstock)
Supt Riccio believes that the young woman did know her killer. In 1996, an E-fit was released to the public as part of their public appeal. The man was said to have been seen inside the nightclub with a woman matching Melanie’s description. He is described as white, in his mid to late twenties, 5ft 10ins, 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. Supt Riccio added: “This is still very much a focus of our appeal to the public today and we want to know who this man is.”
The investigator continued: “I want members of the public to come forward if they recognise the individual in the E-fit. If you look at it and think ‘actually I know someone who was in Cadillacs that night’, or if you know someone who was watching the Euro 96 England vs Switzerland football game in Bath that evening, or if you think it’s someone who may have known Melanie, now is the time to get in touch.
“We suspect that whoever has done this has told someone, and allegiances alter over the decades. Someone knows who killed Melanie and someone knows how she ended up at the side of the M5 at junction 14, and these dark secrets need to be brought into the light. We have a number of enquiries we’re pursuing. It’s very much an active case, and there may be more related operational activity in the near future.”
You can provide information direct through the Major Incident Public Portal and the dedicated Melanie Hall appeal page here. You can contact the police with information via 101. Please inform the call handler you are calling about the Major Crime Investigation Team’s Operation Denmark inquiry. Or, you can provide information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, which can be contacted on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name or trace your call. You can also visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org[3][4]
The Body in the Bag: The Murder of Melanie Hall airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.
References
- ^ Nadiya Hussain’s life off camera from traumatic arranged marriage to family regret (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ Avon and Somerset Police (www.mirror.co.uk)
- ^ direct through the Major Incident Public Portal and the dedicated Melanie Hall appeal page here (mipp.police.uk)
- ^ www.crimestoppers-uk.org (www.crimestoppers-uk.org)