Detectives re-examine Hull model’s disappearance

Gloria Bielby was last seen getting into a red Ford Escort with a man outside her home in Dawnay Road, Bilton, near Hull, on February 2, 1979.

The 36-year-old, who was a secretary at Reckitt and Coleman, hadn’t told people she was leaving.

Mrs Bielby, described as a devoted mother, hasn’t been in contact with her family or friends since.

Officers believe she may have come to harm, but are keeping an open mind as to the causes.

A key focus of the investigation will be to try and identify the well-dressed, middle-aged man, she was seen getting into the car with, around 11.30am.

She had complained of getting nuisance calls in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Hutchinson, from Humberside Police, said people would remember the case as it was very high-profile at the time, and said it was never too late to come forward with information.

He said: “We would like to know who she was seeing at the time, what her movements were and the places she frequented, because it might give us a clue as to who she might have gone missing with or where she might have ended up.

“People will remember this case. Gloria was beautiful and was well known in the local area. It was a very high-profile case at the time.

“There were lots of rumours and speculation as to what might have happened to her.

“We will be exploring every one of these rumours to establish if there is any truth to them.”

A police spokeswoman said: “Unsolved cases are never closed although they do often remain inactive for periods of time; the Gloria Bielby case is one such case which will now be reviewed by officers from the Major Incident Team.”