THE family of a murder victim whose remains were found along the M5 motorway have spoken of their 'deep sorrow and grief' as part of a fresh plea to help catch her killer.
Hospital worker Melanie Hall, 25, was last seen in the early hours of June 9, 1996 at Cadillacs, a nightclub in Bath.
Her remains were found 13 years later by a workman on the northbound slip road near junction 14 of the M5 in Falfield in October 2009.
The murder investigation remains unsolved.
"We carry a deep sorrow, a deep grief" says family
Melanie's family have spoken of their 'deep sorrow and grief' as part of a fresh plea to help catch her killer in a new Channel 5 documentary.
Melanie's father Steve said: “When Melanie was murdered, it wasn’t just one person’s life that was taken, it changed and ruined many lives after.
"Mine, my wife’s, my daughter’s, my mother’s – there’s obviously someone out there, and probably some people out there, who know what happened to Melanie.
"If they felt they could come forward with information which led to us finding out what happened to Melanie, then at least we could feel that we’ve done all we can do for our child.
“We’re different people now. That night when she disappeared, we changed – we are not the people we were before. We carry a deep sorrow, a deep grief.
"We’ve lost something very beautiful and very precious to us that we can’t replace… it’s a family with a piece missing.”
Melanie’s sister, Dominique, added: “I would hope that somebody might think about my mum and dad, they are both nearly 80 now, that someone might find some little drop of compassion or empathy for my mum and dad…and think now would be the time to let them know and have the answers that they need.”
"Someone knows how Melanie ended up at the side of the M5"
Supt James Riccio, who is leading the investigation also features in the documentary.
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, I’m of the belief that Melanie did know her killer.
“An E-fit was released as part of a public appeal back in 1996 of a man seen inside Cadillacs nightclub with a woman matching Melanie’s description.
“This is still very much a focus of our appeal to the public today and we want to know who this man is.
“We’d also like information about 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.
“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 inquiries we’re pursuing.
“It’s very much an active case, and there may be more related operational activity in the near future.”
Anyone with information can contact police direct through the dedicated Melanie Hall appeal page here - tinyurl.com/26pmfmsb
They can also call 10 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The new documentary airs on Channel 5 tomorrow, Thursday, September 28 at 9pm.
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