Suzy Lamplugh detectives reveal they have found NO evidence estate agent was buried in garden of prime suspect John Cannan’s mother’s former home as they end two-week search
- Estate agent Suzy Lamplugh went missing in 1986 and is presumed murdered
- Police arrived at the former home of suspect John Cannan’s mother last month
- They dug up the garden as they looked for Suzy’s body, but have found nothing
- Scotland Yard insists ‘the case is still open’ and they will keep looking for clues
Police have found no evidence during a two-week search of the former home of the mother of Suzy Lamplugh murder suspect John Cannan.
Miss Lamplugh, 25, was declared dead, presumed murdered, after going missing 32 years ago, having left her west London offices to meet a man known only as ‘Mr Kipper’.
Officers moved in on the house in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands amid suspicions Suzy’s body could be buried in the back garden.
The Met Police today said that a search of the garden behind the house had finished, but ‘no evidence’ had been found.
The lack of any development will be a further set back to Miss Lamplugh’s family, who are desperate to know what happened to her.
Police in the Suzy Lamplugh case have concluded their search of a garden in Sutton Coldfield having found no evidence, Scotland Yard announced today. Pictured: Police last week
Miss Lamplugh was declared dead, presumed murdered, after going missing in 1986. John Cannan was named by police as their prime suspect in 2002. The garden of his mother’s former home has been searched over the last two weeks
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: ‘Unfortunately, no evidence was recovered. Suzy’s family have been informed of this outcome. Officers are now in the process of leaving the property.
‘The painstaking search of the grounds of the property has involved the excavation of parts of the garden and the rear of the property, and the use of ground-penetrating radar.
‘Around 15 officers and staff from the Met and West Midlands Police have been involved, and an archaeologist was also on-site to assist.’
Police were seen leaving the property early this morning as a cordon around it was lifted.
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Father-of-two Phillip Carney, 52, an insurance marketer bought the semi-detached house from Cannan’s mother in 1992, said: ‘I’m sorry for her family but I’m relieved to have my house back again.’
Cannan – who is serving a life sentence for murdering Bristol newlywed Shirley Banks – has denied involvement in Suzy’s disappearance.
His solicitor Matthew Claughton said: ‘John Cannan continues to deny involvement in the 1986 disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh.
‘Mr Cannan hopes that the search of his mother’s former home will conclude swiftly so as to bring to an end speculation as to his involvement in this matter.’
Attention first centred on a shed at the back of the garden (bottom left) before police evidence tents went up nearer the house. This aerial image was taken last Monday
Current home owner Phillip Carey (left) bought the house of Cannan’s mother in 1992. He has fully supported the police operation, despite the disruption to his family. Suzy’s brother, Richard (right), had said he hoped her body is found after ’32 years of dashed hopes’
Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Wood said today: ‘Suzy was a young woman when she was reported missing on 28 July 1986.
‘She is presumed dead, and is believed to have been murdered. Her body has never been found, and no-one has ever been charged as part of the investigation.
‘This has been a landmark case for the Met, both in terms of its scale and complexity, and because of the huge sense of tragedy of a young woman’s life being cut short and the uncertainty around what happened to Suzy.
‘A total of 32 years have passed since Suzy’s disappearance; years that have undoubtedly been hugely painful for her family and loved ones, and our thoughts remain with them at this time.
‘I would like to pay tribute to Suzy’s family for their support during the Met’s investigations into her disappearance, as well as for their courage and strength through decades of sorrow.
‘This latest line of enquiry must have been traumatic for them, as well as bringing them some hope that they might find out more about what happened to Suzy, but they have always been supportive of our efforts to make progress in the investigation.
‘The case remains open, and the Met remains committed to bringing Suzy’s killer to justice. We will continue to assess any new information that comes in.’
Suzy Lamplugh: Timeline of one of the UK’s most notorious cold case
Suzy Lamplugh went missing in July 1986
March 1981: Cannan robs a knitwear shop at knifepoint and ties up a woman inside and rapes her.
July 25 1986: He is given day release from Wormwood Scrubs after serving five years for the rape.
July 28, 1986: Suzy Lamplugh, 25, disappears after leaving her office to show a man known only as ‘Mr Kipper’ around a house in Fulham, west London.
October 7 1986: Cannan rapes a woman at knifepoint in Reading. Later that day he tries to abduct a woman in Bristol with a gun.
October 8, 1987: Murder victim Shirley Banks failed to meet her husband Richard for a drink as planned and her car is missing. Six months later Shirley’s naked body was discovered decomposed in the Quantock Hills in an area known as Dead Woman’s Ditch.
October 29, 1987: Cannan caught trying to hold up a shop in Leamington Spa and arrested.
November 9 1987: Cannan is arrested on suspicion of stealing Shirley’s car and her disappearance is linked to Suzy’s. His laywer says his client had never met Suzy.
April 1989: Cannan guilty of Shirley’s murder, raping the woman in Reading and for the attempted kidnap in Bristol. He is given a whole life term later reduced to 35 years.
August 1991: He writes a letter from prison to his local paper denying any part in Suzy’s disappearance.
1999: Police start a cold case review and hand it to the murder squad
June 2002: Met name him as the only suspect
November 2002: CPS say he can’t be prosecuted because of lack of evidence and ‘trial by media’
June 2008: He loses appeal against his 35 year jail term
October 2018: Police return to his mother Sheila’s home and examine the concrete pit Cannan used to tinker with his cars.
November 2018: Police call off search of garden after finding no evidence.
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