No charges for men investigated over Claudia Lawrence murder

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has confirmed it decided not to charge four men being investigated over the suspected murder of missing York chef, Claudia Lawrence.

The four men, who are all aged in their 50s and come from the York area, were arrested in early 2015, one on 23 March and the other three on 22 April. The men were released from police bail while the investigation took place.

The CPS had been reviewing files of evidence submitted to them by North Yorkshire Police, but now they have decided not to press charges against any of the men.

Miss Lawrence, who was a chef at the University of York, was reported missing six years ago, sparking a huge police search for the 35-year-old.

She was last seen on 18 March 2009 after working at the university. She spoke to her parents by phone on the same day and also texted a friend that evening. When she failed to turn up for work the following day, colleagues raised the alarm.

North Yorkshire Police later said they were treating the case as suspected murder although her body has not been found.

New forensic tests were carried out at Claudia's home in 2015, where police revealed they had found fingerprints, and became aware that others had spent time at the address in the lead up to her disappearance.

Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, the lead investigator in the case says the investigation has been 'compromised' by those with information about Claudia's disappearance refusing to co-operate with police:

Martin Dales, the spokesperson for Claudia's family released a statement on their behalf, praising the efforts of police: