The Metropolitan Police are re-examining the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl in 1979, with officers now fearing she may have been murdered.
Suzanne Lawrence vanished after leaving home with her 13-year-old sister Michelle in Harold Hill, east London. The pair had told their mother they were staying with friends in Dagenham, but Michelle returned home five days later, alone.
The sisters had met three boys, aged around 14 to 17, at a fair in Highbury Fields, north London, and were taken to a nearby squat where they stayed for two nights. Michelle returned home after getting into an argument with her sister, expecting to see Suzanne the next day, but she has not been seen since.
Police originally believed Suzanne joined the travelling fair, but are now exploring the circumstances of her disappearance, including if she came to harm. An e-fit of what Suzanne could look like now has been released.
Suzanne's sister, Michelle, has spoken out about the disappearance, saying "I was the last member of the family to be with my sister before she disappeared. We left home together and for a period we were both trying to survive away from home. Eventually I returned, but Suzanne did not. Many years have passed, but not a day goes by without wondering what happened to her."
Michelle added that she wants her sister to know she has never been forgotten, and is now appealing for anyone with information to come forward. The police are directly appealing to the public for help in finding out what happened to Suzanne.
Police are asking anyone who may have information about Suzanne's disappearance to get in touch with them. They are particularly interested in any sightings of Suzanne on public transport after she left the fair in Highbury Fields.
Detective Chief Inspector Kam Sodhi said, "This is about finding answers for Suzanne's sister and wider family, who cannot understand why she never came home. I want to appeal directly to readers to help us with this appeal. If you know anything, however small, that could help us find out what has happened, please get in touch with us."
