Inside the lost Bath nightclub that police want you to remember

Police hoping for a "huge breakthrough" in a high-profile unsolved murder have shared photos from the victim's last known location. Haunting images show inside one of Bath's lost clubs, where many will have fond memories - but for one family, the venue represents the start of their living nightmare. It was a busy Saturday night out in Bath on June 8, 1996.

England drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening Euro 96 match, with Alan Shearer scoring. Melanie Hall had spent the evening with her boyfriend and friends and ended up at the former Cadillacs nightclub in Walcot Street, which later became Club XL[1]. Her friends left at 1.10am in the early hours of the following Sunday, June 9.

She was noticed sitting by the side of the dancefloor on her own. It was the last known location where the 25-year-old was seen alive. It was not until years later that her remains were found at the side of the M5 motorway.

She had suffered extensive head injuries and was wrapped in black bin liners, tied with blue rope. A workman made the discovery on the side of the slipway leading onto the northbound carriageway of the motorway at Junction 14, near Thornbury, on 5 October 2009. Melanie's clothing, jewellery and belongings have never been found, and her death remains one of the region's most high-profile unsolved murders.

To mark the 30th anniversary of her disappearance, Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new campaign called 'Justice for Melanie' designed to transport people back to June 1996, to trigger memories and encourage people to come forward with any new information.

Melanie's father Steve and sister Dominique have backed the campaign, speaking of their family's anguish and the decades living in limbo as they push for Melanie's killer to be caught.

Scroll down to view more photos inside the club - if you remember anything that might assist the investigation, contact Avon and Somerset Police via the Major Incident Public Portal[2] or call 101 asking for the Operation Denmark team

References

1. ^ Club XL (www.somersetlive.co.uk)
2. ^ Major Incident Public Portal (www.somersetlive.co.uk)