Claudia's dad: I will never give up hope (From The Northern Echo)

Claudia's dad: I will never give up hope

11:49pm Friday 18th March 2011 in Missing: Claudia Lawrence News

THE father of missing Claudia Lawrence has pleaded with her abductor to come forward and end his anguish as he marked the second anniversary of her disappearance.

Peter Lawrence said that when Claudia disappeared two years ago, aged 35, he never imagined he would still have no idea what has happened to her.

Police believe she has been murdered, but her family and friends still hope that one day she will come home.

Mr Lawrence said: “I do not know how I keep going, but I will.

“Claudia is my daughter.

She was very dear to me and still is. I won’t ever give up hope.

“There have been other people missing for more than two years who have been found.”

Mr Lawrence said that despite Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, the leading officer in the hunt for Claudia, saying he was in no doubt that she had been murdered, he believes his daughter is still alive and is being held against her will.

He pleaded with her abductor or anyone else with information to come forward.

He said: “Somebody somewhere knows what has happened to her. Search your conscience and come forward and help stop this torment.

“It is high time somebody said what they know.”

Miss Lawrence, whose parents are originally from Darlington, was last seen walking from York University to her home on March 18, 2009.

She did not turn up for work the next day, sparking a national and international police search.

Anyone with information is asked to call 0845-60-60-24-7, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555-111.