Man held in connection with murder of Melanie Hall who went missing 20 years ago
45-year-old being held by cops in connection with 1996 murder
A 45-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested as part of our investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Melanie Hall.
The man was arrested yesterday on suspicion of Melanie’s murder and he remains in custody for questioning.
Melanie was last seen at the former Cadillacs nightclub in Walcot Street, Bath, in the early hours of Sunday, June 9 1996.
Her remains were found in vegetation off the northbound slipway at junction 14 of the M5 (Thornbury) in 2009.
Det Supt Andy Bevan from Avon and Somerset Police said: "Melanie’s parents have been informed of the arrest and will continue to be supported and updated on the progress of our inquiry by specialist family liaison officers."
Melanie's father Steve Hall, 72, of Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts., said: "We're obviously pleased with any progress with the enquiry.
"We're aware that there has been an arrest, and that's where it's at the moment.
"We were told in sufficient time [after the arrest]. We're being kept well informed.
"We are doing well. It's a bit too soon to say how we feel."
Melanie's mother Pat is aged 71 and a former senior nurse.
Steve is the former chairman of Bath City Football Club. He was also vice principal of a South Wales college and now works as a painter.
Earlier this month detectives revealed they had found DNA evidence from where the murdered university graduate's body was found.
The news came almost 20 years to the day after 25-year-old Melanie Hall disappeared after a night out.
She went missing on June 9, 1996, but her body was discovered 13 years later near a motorway.
Detective Superintendent Andy Bevan said he believed the DNA, left on an item at the scene, would help the investigation significantly.
He appealed for information on BBC1's Crimewatch Roadshow and reinstate a £10,000 reward.
Det Supt Bevan said: "Through new techniques, we're in the process of developing a DNA profile. There's no doubt this brings us an important step closer to finding her killer."
Melanie, a clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, vanished after going to a nightclub in the city.
A workman found her remains in vegetation next to an M5 slip road in Thornbury, Gloucs, in October 2009. Melanie's clothing and belongings have never been found. Over the years, nine arrests have been made but no one has been charged for her killing.
Det Supt Andy Bevan appeared on Crimewatch on the 20th anniversary of Melanie’s disappearance and said more than twenty new calls had come in.
He said: "We have officers and staff following up on information we’ve received following the Crimewatch Roadshow appeal.
"Some of the calls provided names of potential suspects, some related to the outstanding items of Melanie’s property which have never been found and others were reporting suspicious activity around the motorway slipway where Melanie’s remains were found.
"We’re extremely grateful to everyone who has responded so far but we still need more information from the public."
Earlier this month Melanie’s parents offered a £50,000 reward to catch her killer – saying cops are on the brink of a major breakthrough.
Her parents Steve and Pat said they were putting up "a life-changing amount" of their own money.
It is the first time they have offered a reward but they said they believed detectives were now on the brink of cracking the case with the DNA development.
Steve, 72, of Bradford-on-Avon, Wilts., said: "Someone may have been wavering over whether to provide information for a long time.
"This amount of money is life-changing and I hope it will provide the incentive for them to do the right thing.
"The loss of Melanie has been life-changing for us and we’ll never be the same people as we were before Melanie disappeared.
"We’ve been kept fully informed by the police of updates in this investigation and we know the development of a DNA profile from an item found at the scene where Melanie’s remains were found is a major leap forward.
"Melanie’s murder has had a terrible impact on our family and I know my wife Pat is tortured by what happened to our daughter and will never get over it."
He added: "I believe this inquiry will be solved by one of two things.
"Either through the advancement of DNA helping to identify who was responsible, or someone who knows a crucial piece of information having the moral fibre to contact the police.
"I hope by us offering this reward, it’ll encourage this person or these people to come forward."
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