Fresh probe into cold case murder, three decades on

The family of a woman who disappeared 30 years ago before her body was found on the side of a motorway say they fear they may never know who murdered her.

Melanie Hall, 25, from Bradford-on-Avon, was last seen alive at a nightclub in Bath, Somerset, in June 1996. Her body was discovered in October 2009, wrapped in bin bags beside the M5.

Despite 11 arrests over the years - including one in 2016 after a partial DNA profile was obtained from the scene - no one has ever been charged with her murder.

Three decades on from her disappearance, detectives believe the killer could finally be exposed as they use the latest technology to refresh their archives and launch a renewed appeal.

In addition to a televised appeal by BBC Crimewatch, the independent charity Crimestoppers has announced a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for her murder.

Dominique Hall, who lives in Wiltshire, was 27 years old when her younger sister disappeared.

Recalling the last time she ever saw Melanie, lingering in the door at their parents’ house, she said: "She was wearing this pink flowery skirt with this beautiful blonde hair.

"That is my lasting memory of her – she looked beautiful.

"Me and Mel were just young women in our twenties then.

"Now I'm fast approaching 60 and dad is 82, and I worry, how much longer will we have? Will we ever know, if we don't get our answers soon?," she added.

Melanie, who was a clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, disappeared after a night out with friends at the former Cadillacs nightclub on Walcot Street on 9 June 1996.

The opening day of the Euros finals where England played Switzerland, she had spent the afternoon with her boyfriend, before meeting up with friends for a barbecue.

The group later headed to the club that evening.

The last confirmed sighting of her was at 01:10 BST, when her friends left the venue. She was reportedly sitting alone on a stool at the edge of the dance floor.

Witnesses said she had argued with her boyfriend, who left the club upset after seeing her dancing with another man.

Det Ch Insp Ben Lavender, who is leading Avon and Somerset Police's investigation, said: "We believe there's a strong possibility Melanie left the nightclub with her killer, as a coat she'd checked into a cloakroom was collected, but she could have met them outside or got into a car.

"If you have information or suspicions about anyone who could be connected to Melanie's disappearance, now is the time to let us know.

"Please let us decide if information is relevant to the investigation or not."

Detectives are currently digitalising their archives, which they believe will give them the breakthrough they have waited 30 years for.

For 13 long years, Melanie's family were plagued with unanswered questions surrounding her disappearance.

That was until 5 October 2009, when her skeletal remains were discovered by a workman clearing vegetation next to a slip-road at J14 of the M5, near Thornbury.

A post-mortem examination revealed she had suffered extensive blunt force injuries to her head, including a fractured skull and injuries to her cheekbone and jaw.

Her nude body had been wrapped in thin black bin liners and bound with 13m (42ft) of blue plastic rope, made up of four separate lengths knotted together.

Police previously described it as "commercially manufactured rope", commonly used on building sites and for drawing electrical cable through trunking.

In 2016, police said a partial DNA profile obtained from the rope could belong to her killer - though no one has ever been charged.

Describing his daughter as a "loving child", Melanie's father, Steve Hall said she was "very trusting" and always saw "the best in someone".

He said he had "never really tried to think about what had happened" as he felt it made "things worse".

"It's difficult. I just put it in a box and put the lid on," he said.

"If someone was apprehended and convicted of Melanie's murder, it won't bring closure, but it will mean that the last thing we've been able to do for Melanie is to see her killer brought to justice.

"I've asked the question 'why?' many times, and I think that's the question I'd like to get answered."

Since taking over the investigation last year - one of the longest running and highest profile ever carried out by Avon and Somerset Police - Lavender has begun revisiting key witnesses and reviewing almost 100 hours of CCTV.

He said the work is "driven by the need" to provide Melanie's family, who "has endured unimaginable pain and uncertainty for almost three decades", with the "justice and answers they so desperately need".

He added the case often keeps him up at night, and he has become "obsessed" with solving her murder.

Lavender said the location where Melanie's body was discovered remains "a key focus" in the investigation, and the force was “keeping an open mind" as to when she was dumped there.

He also said officers were keen to speak to anyone who may have seen items and clothing she had with her on the night she went missing.

Melanie was last seen wearing 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.

In her handbag were cosmetics and a Midland cheque book and bank card. Also missing are items of jewellery including a Next watch with expanding bracelet and silver drop earrings.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.