Claudia Lawrence: Police committed to finding truth about what happened to missing York chef following father's death

Mr Lawrence died aged 74 in St Leonard’s Hospice in York on Thursday last week after a short illness.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We’ve been made aware of the passing of Claudia Lawrence’s father, Peter. Our thoughts and condolences are with Mr Lawrence’s family and friends at this sad time.

"The Lawrence family can be assured that North Yorkshire Police remains committed in our search to establish what happened to Claudia, and bring to justice those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder."

The University of York chef vanished on March 18, 2009.

Although no body has ever been found, North Yorkshire Police has been treating her disappearance as a suspected murder investigation.

Nine people have been arrested or interviewed under caution in connection with the investigation and police submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in relation to a number of individuals, but there was insufficient evidence to bring charges.

He said: “There was always some doubts privately, but now I have to admit that I may never see Claudia again. It is hard to say that, and I have never told anyone that before. But I have to come to terms with it, as it may very well be the truth.”

Mr Lawrence's spokesman Martin Dales announced the 74-year-old's death on Monday.

He said: "It is sad that nearly 12 years after Claudia’s disappearance from York Peter never found out what has happened to her.

The last documentary Mr Lawrence filmed - "Missing or Murdered - the disappearance of Claudia Lawrence" will air again on Channel 5 at 10pm this evening as a tribute to him.

The documentary, which originally aired on the 10th anniversary of Miss Lawrence's disappearance, explores theories that she was sex trafficked to Amsterdam or fled to Cyprus.