Nine years after she vanished, man is arrested for murder of Halifax mum Lisa Ambler

The arrest follows a new appeal for information yesterday on the whereabouts of 34-year-old Lisa Ambler, who was last seen in the centre of Halifax in August 2003.

Today a 38-year-old man from the Halifax area was being held on suspicion of murder.

Miss Ambler, a mother of two, was living with her then boyfriend in a tent on Southowram Bank at the time of her disappearance.

Det Insp Steve Snow of West Yorkshire Police said at the time of yesterday’s appeal for information: “Extensive enquiries have been made over the years and although eight years have passed since Lisa went missing, we continue to seek the vital pieces of information that could lead us to her.

“It cannot be discounted that after all this time Lisa may well have come to some harm or sadly be dead. However we cannot in anyway confirm this and, in order to bring some closure for her family, we will continue to explore all opportunities which may help us find her.”

Miss Ambler’s children are now in their 20s. Her mother died two years ago, not knowing what happened to her daughter.

Insp Snow added: “Lisa lived quite a chaotic lifestyle and was sleeping rough at the time of her disappearance. Her family have not heard from her since the day she went missing and there have been no confirmed sightings.”

A police spokesman said today: “The search for Lisa continues and officers continue to appeal to anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or the police on 101 or the incident room on 01924 334771.”