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Search for missing Claudia switches to rundown house
THE police search for missing Claudia Lawrence yesterday switched its focus to a rundown house close to the missing York University chef's own home.
North Yorkshire Police officers searched the property in York's East Parade, less than half a mile from Miss Lawrence's terraced home in Heworth Road.
Detectives claimed the search was part of an "ongoing and continuously developing" investigation into the suspected murder of the 35-year-old chef.
About a dozen police officers used plastic gloves and masks during the search. Two officers carried in empty brown bags while colleagues cleared various items and rubbish strewn across the front garden.
A neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "I've lived here for 20 years and as far as I know two brothers lived there until one died last month. In all that time, I only saw them twice.
"I think they owned this house and another somewhere nearby. But I haven't got a clue what this has to do with Claudia, although we are getting used to seeing police cars and vans round here.
"The house is strange really, all the properties round here are well-kept, but this one stands out because it is such a mess.
"They never seemed to get any visitors or make any noise. I presume it is empty now. It could almost be knocked down, it's that bad."
Police have searched hundreds of properties in York in an attempt to trace Miss Lawrence including the Nag's Head pub, which is a few doors away from her home.
Detectives have been delving into her past love life in a bid to establish what has happened to her after she was reported missing on March 20.
She was last seen close to her home and vanished without taking any money, bank cards or her passport.
Crimestoppers has offered a 10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction. Friends and family said her disappearance is "totally out of character".
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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