MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1979-20
Suzanne Lawrence
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Harold Hill, London
Summary:
Suzanne Lawrence, aged 14, was reported missing in the summer of 1979. She left home in Harold Hill on 27 July 1979 with her then 13-year-old sister Michelle, telling their mother they would be staying with friends in Dagenham. Michelle returned home five days later, on 31 July, after the pair had an argument, and told police they had met three boys, aged around 14 to 17, at a fair in Highbury Fields, north London. The boys took them to a nearby squat, but she was unable to locate the address when she accompanied officers on a visit to the area. The case has never been closed and detectives from the Met's East Area Missing Persons Unit, who have reviewed the case, are now appealing for any information that could help them establish what happened to the schoolgirl.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
On 27 July 1979, Suzanne and Michelle left Neave Comprehensive School, Harold Hill, travelling by bus to Romford train station. The pair then caught a train to Central London. Michelle recalls walking near Arsenal and then Highbury Stadium. On 28 July 1979, the sisters met a number of boys whilst at a fair on Highbury Fields. The boys took them to stay at a squat, believed to be around 15 minutes' walk away. The girls spent two nights at the squat on 29-30 July 1979. On 31 July 1979, Michelle returned to the family home in Leamington Road following an argument with her sister, expecting Suzanne to return the following morning. Suzanne did not return on 1 August 1979. Michelle informed their mother, and on 2 August 1979, Suzanne was reported to police as missing.
Additional Details:
At the time police thought Suzanne may have joined a travelling fair, but enquiries failed to locate her. After they left the family home, Suzanne and her younger sibling are believed to have experienced a brief period of homelessness. Police believe that three boys aged approximately 14 to 17 years, believed to be from the Highbury or Islington area, met the sisters. Detectives from the Met's East Area Missing Persons Unit have reviewed the case and prepared two e-fit images of how Suzanne, who would now be aged 61, may look now. The case has been linked to convicted murderer and sex offender Peter Tobin, 61, who is suspected of killing a string of young girls and women as he traveled across Britain as an odd-job man from the late 1960s until the early 1990s. Despite extensive enquiries over the decades, Suzanne has never been found. Anyone with information is asked to contact police by calling 101, quoting Op Examen and the reference 01/1106320/24. Information can also be provided anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
Metropolitan Police's East Area Missing Persons Unit launches renewed public appeal with age-progressed e-fit images.
Suzanne officially reported missing to police.
Suzanne does not return. Michelle informs their mother.
Following an argument, Michelle returns home to Leamington Road in Harold Hill.
The girls spend second night at the squat.
The girls spend first night at the squat.
The sisters meet three boys at a fair on Highbury Fields. The boys take them to a nearby squat.
Suzanne and Michelle leave their home in Harold Hill, travel by bus to Romford train station, then by train to Central London. They visit Highbury area.
Associated Persons
Michelle H. (Sibling) - Living
Peter T. (Suspect) - Deceased
Unknown U. (Person of Interest) - Unknown
Related Stories & Podcasts
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
Father
Mother
Paternal Grandfather
Paternal Grandmother
Maternal Grandfather
Maternal Grandmother
Paternal Grandfather's Mother
Paternal Grandfather's Father
Paternal Grandmother's Mother
Paternal Grandmother's Father
Maternal Grandfather's Mother
Maternal Grandfather's Father
Maternal Grandmother's Mother
Maternal Grandmother's Father
Paternal Grandfather's Mother
Paternal Grandfather's Father
Paternal Grandmother's Mother
Paternal Grandmother's Father
Maternal Grandfather's Mother
Maternal Grandfather's Father
Maternal Grandmother's Mother
Maternal Grandmother's Father
Paternal Grandfather
Paternal Grandmother
Maternal Grandfather
Maternal Grandmother
Father
Mother
Missing Person
Missing Person
Case Content Disclaimer: The details on this case page are sourced from numerous locations to include family, friends, news postings and government public releases. Solve the Case, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of any content as case pages are living documents that frequently update as case details expand.
