THE heartbroken father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has spoken of how the hurt has not diminished even six years after she disappeared.
Solicitor Peter Lawrence was speaking in the anniversary of the day his daughter vanished without trace in March, 2009.
The Darlington-born 35-year-old was last seen after leaving work at the University of York and police suspect she was murdered.
Her father said today, Wednesday, that he still misses her smiles, laughter and company – despite the passage of time.
He said he just wanted to be able to bury his daughter and it was “galling” to know there were people who knew what had happened to Claudia but still hadn't come forward to police.
"We have had six years without her company, without her chat, her smiles and her laugh, meeting her for a drink, days out and meals out," he said.
"It's terrible. I just miss that companionship, that love, so much, that it just really hurts so much."
He said he was asking people to look at their conscience and see what it was doing to the family.
"It is a lot to bear and six years on and it does not get any better,” he added.
“All we can hope is that we find out what happened to Claudia and, if she was murdered, as the police believe, then I want to be able to bury her."
He also spoke of his hopes that the senior policeman now leading the investigation, Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, would help the family achieve its wished with his “bulldog” attitude to people who hadn't come forward.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here