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Police appeal to patrons of Bristol Irish pub to help solve 2012 disappearance
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Police appeal to patrons of Bristol Irish pub to help solve 2012 disappearance

POLICE in Britain have launched a new appeal for information to help solve the disappearance of woman in June 2012.

Claire Holland, from Lawrence Weston, was 32 when she was last seen leaving Irish pub Seamus O'Donnell's in St Nicholas Street, Bristol, on June 6, 2012.

This week, Avon and Somerset Police urged anyone who was in the pub on the night of Miss Holland's disappearance to contact them.

They have also released CCTV footage showing Miss Holland on the day she disappeared.

Searches

As part of their investigation, police have carried out targeted searches in the Bristol area in the past few days, with some involving a specialist dive team.

A 39-year-old man, who was arrested on suspicion of Miss Holland’s murder in 2019, remains released under investigation.

"We'd like the public to cast their mind back to The Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend, which was on the weekend of June 2-5 in 2012," said Senior Investigating Officer DI Darren Hannant.

“Claire went missing the day after this significant national event.

"CCTV shows Claire walking along Baldwin Street heading towards the Seamus O'Donnell's pub at around 9.30pm on Wednesday, June 6, but we don't have any footage showing where she went afterwards, but staff have confirmed she did leave the pub later that evening just after closing time, around 11.15pm.

"It is possible she headed in the direction of the Fountains, near the Harbourside, but we don't have any footage of her doing so, despite extensive reviews of more than 1,000 hours of available CCTV."

He added: “At this time, we’re treating Claire's disappearance as suspicious.

“Claire had no known reason to go missing of her own accord and had made plans for the week following her disappearance.

"Claire's family are being kept up to date on the progress of this investigation and we're committed to providing them with the answers they need.

"Specially trained liaison officers will continue to support them at this very difficult time."

Description

Avon and Somerset Police have urged anyone who was in Seamus O'Donnell's pub on the night Miss Holland was last seen to contact them.

They also want to hear from anyone who saw a woman matching Miss Holland's description heading into Bristol city centre from the direction of St Nicholas Street after 11pm.

Claire is described as white, 5' tall, of slim build, with shoulder-length brown hair, which was sometimes tied back in a ponytail.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference number 5219172645.