Retiring police chief admits unsolved Claudia case is his '˜stand out regret'

Deputy Chief Constable Tim Madgwick, who is retiring after a 29-year career with the force, said the unresolved mystery surrounding the York chef’s disappearance in March 2009 will “frustrate me intensely”.

Miss Lawrence was reported missing after failing to attend work at the University of York. The last confirmed contact anyone had with the 35-year-old was when she spoke to her mother Joan on the phone just after 8pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

Police suspect Miss Lawrence was murdered and a total of nine people were arrested or quizzed by police under caution during the course of a three-year review of the case which cost £1m.

Despite files being prepared in relation to a number of individuals, the Crown Prosecution Service ruled that the force had gathered insufficient evidence to be able to bring any charges against them.

Last month, North Yorkshire Police announced that the investigation had been downgraded to a “reactive phase”.

Mr Madgwick admitted that he was frustrated to leave the case unsolved.

In an interview with BBC Radio York, he said: “The stand out regret for me personally, because I have been heavily involved, is Claudia Lawrence. I would dearly love to bring some resolution for the Lawrence family to that case and I know many of my colleagues who have worked on it feel exactly the same.”

In total, 627 police officers and staff have played some role or other during the Claudia Lawrence investigation.

Mr Madgwick added: “When I think about finishing my career that will frustrate me intensely that we haven’t been able to resolve that and bring justice for the Lawrence family.”

Lisa Winward, a former Special Constable with the force, has been appointed as Mr Madgwick’s successor.