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Claudia Lawrence’s mum ‘more determined than ever to get justice’ | UK News


Joan Lawrence, said the only present she wants for her 80th birthday is news of her daughter – ‘even if it’s bad news’ (Pictures: SWNS)

The mother of missing university chef Claudia Lawrence has said she is ‘more determined than ever’ to get justice for her daughter as she celebrated her 80th birthday.

Detectives believe Ms Lawrence – who lived in the Heworth area of York and worked at York University – was murdered, although no body has ever been found.

The 35 year-old was last seen on March 18, 2009.

Her mother, Joan Lawrence, said the only present she wants is news of her daughter – ‘even if it’s bad news’.

She said: ‘I can’t believe I’m 80, but it makes me more determined than ever to get justice for Claudia, and closure for myself.

‘I’m not one for material things. The only birthday present I want is news – even if it’s bad news. I find all these special days – birthdays and anniversaries – emotional and stressful.

‘But getting to 80 makes me more determined to keep going, because it feels like I’m running out of time, and I need the answer.’

FILE PHOTO - Picture shows York chef Claudia Lawrence who has been missing since 18th March 2009.See SWNS story SWLNclaudia. The mum of Claudia Lawrence has said the only thing she wanted for her 80th birthday was news about the missing chef's disappearance.Heartbroken Joan Lawrence also said that now she's reached the milestone birthday, she is 'more determined that ever' to get 'justice' for her daughter.Claudia was 35 when she vanished without a trace after she failed to arrive for her job as a chef at York University in North Yorks,. in March 2009. Police suspect she was murdered and nine people have been questioned by officers since her disappearance, but no charges have ever been brought.

Detectives believe Ms Lawrence – who lived in the Heworth area of York and worked at York University – was murdered (Picture: SWNS)

This birthday is particularly painful for Joan, as the last milestone birthday she celebrated with Claudia was her 60th birthday.

She said: ‘It was a beautiful day. We had Pimm’s on the lawn and Claudia was really happy. She bought me a ring with the August birthstone, peridot.

‘I keep it safe because I’m scared of losing it. You can’t put a price on some things.’

Joan went on: ‘As hard as it’s been, I’m lucky to still have my health and my gorgeous grandchildren, so there’s a lot to be thankful for.

‘Despite the nightmares, what’s happened has also brought a lot of love my way, and that keeps me going. For however much time I’ve got left, I’ll never give up.’

Joan Lawrence. See SWNS story SWLNclaudia. The mum of Claudia Lawrence has said the only thing she wanted for her 80th birthday was news about the missing chef's disappearance.Heartbroken Joan Lawrence also said that now she's reached the milestone birthday, she is 'more determined that ever' to get 'justice' for her daughter.Claudia was 35 when she vanished without a trace after she failed to arrive for her job as a chef at York University in North Yorks,. in March 2009. Police suspect she was murdered and nine people have been questioned by officers since her disappearance, but no charges have ever been brought.

Joan said she is ‘more determined that ever’ to get ‘justice’ for her daughter (Picture: Peter Barron/SWNS)

Joan was diagnosed with alopecia four years ago, because of the stress of not knowing what’s happened to Claudia.

She now wears a wig to cover up her hair loss and receives two new wigs from the NHS every year.

Joan, of Heworth, North Yorkshire, said: ‘My message is that it’s nothing to be ashamed of.

‘I want to be open about it, and wear a wig with pride, because it’s important to remove the stigma.

‘Strangers stop me in the street and say how nice my hair looks. I know they’re being kind because they can see that it makes me feel good. There’s an awful lot of nice people, aren’t there?

‘So many ask how I am and tell me they’re thinking of Claudia. It helps so much to know that.

Claudia’s father, Peter, died in 2021 without knowing what happened to his daughter.

He had campaigned to get answers to the puzzle of her disappearance and spent years arguing for what became the Guardianship (Missing Persons) Bill – also known as Claudia’s Law – which allows relatives to take control of their missing loved ones’ financial matters.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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