New Hope In 20-Year Hunt For Melanie's Killer

Police investigating the murder of a Bath woman 20 years ago say they have new DNA evidence which may help identify her killer.

Melanie Hall was just 25 when she disappeared from a nightclub in the city on 9 June, 1996.

Thirteen years later her remains were discovered hidden in undergrowth near junction 14 of the M5 motorway in October 2009.

Officers have taken more than 3,000 statements and calls in relation to the case but so far no one has been charged with her murder.

On the eve of the 20th anniversary of her death, a £10,000 reward has been offered for anyone who may have information which will lead to her killer's capture.

Detective Superintendent Andy Bevan, from Avon and Somerset Police, who is now leading the investigation, said scientific advances mean they are closing in on the person responsible.

He told Sky News: "For the first time I'm able to confirm publicly that we do have DNA evidence which was left on an item found at the scene where Melanie's remains were discovered.

"Through new techniques, we're in the process of developing a DNA profile. There's no doubt this brings us an important step closer to finding her killer."

Melanie, who was a clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, was last seen at 1.10am sitting on a stool at the edge of the dance floor in Cadillacs nightclub (now ClubXL) in Walcot Street, Bath, following a night out with friends.

As yet, detectives are unable to prove if and when she left the club and are appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward.

They have also reissued photos of some of Melanie's clothes and belongings which they are still hoping to trace including a pale blue silk dress with a round neck, black suede mule shoes with straps, a cream single-breasted, long-sleeved jacket and a black satchel-type handbag.

Steve and Pat Hall, Melanie's parents, have been tireless in the search for answers and believe a number of people know what happened to their daughter.

Pat Hall said she knew something serious had happened as soon as Melanie didn't return home but it wasn't until her remains were found 13 years later that they could finally lay her to rest.

"I'd come to the conclusion she was dead otherwise I was sure we'd have heard something in those years.

"It was just the fact that she had been found and left in such a public place with no dignity," Mrs Hall said.

"At least that allowed us to do that very last thing that a lot of us do for our loved ones, to actually be able to say goodbye in a dignified way."

Steve Hall said he and his wife felt they had a responsibility to Melanie to bring her killer to justice and called for those involved to finally come forward.

"I don't think people realise the horror that these incidents bring to whole members of family and societies and on that basis I would appeal to anyone who has any added information to come forward to help us solve this crime," he said.

"Am I angry? Yes I'm angry. Would I like to see the demise of the person who killed Melanie? Yes I would. Would I forgive them? No I wouldn't, but I wouldn't feel any better.

"The thing that I want and Pat wants is often lost on these occasions, I actually want Melanie back and I can't achieve that, we can't achieve that.

"So we're never going to get closure."

:: Anyone with any information linked to the investigation has been asked to call the Operation Denmark Incident Room on 0117 952 9788 or alternatively 101 and ask for the Operation Denmark team.