DNA lead found in 1996 murder of Melanie Hall

Detectives are “one important step” closer to finding the killer of Melanie Hall thanks to DNA evidence from where her remains were found.

Ms Hall, a university graduate, was last seen at 1.10am on June 9, 1996 sitting on a stool on the edge of the dance floor at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath.

A workman found her remains in a bag in vegetation next to the northbound slipway of J14 on the M5 at Thornbury in October 2009.

Detective Superintendent Andy Bevan, of Avon and Somerset Police, revealed the DNA evidence to mark the 20th anniversary of Miss Hall’s disappearance.

Crimestoppers is reinstating a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder.

“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,” Mr Bevan said.

“Through new techniques, we’re in the process of developing a DNA profile."

The force does not have a prime suspect or any “conclusive evidence” that Ms Hall’s death is linked to other murders or sexual offences.

Parents of murdered Melanie Hall plead for witnesses as DNA evidence is revealed 20 years after disappearancehttps://t.co/hnOHR4i24f

— PA Media (@PA) June 8, 2016