Claire Holland: Police search for missing mother to move to new area of Bristol

Police teams are today continuing their search across Bristol in connection with the disappearance of Claire Holland nine years ago.

The 32-year-old mum, from Lawrence Weston, was last seen at the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street, Bristol, on the evening of Wednesday, June 6.

Yesterday, Avon and Somerset police renewed its appeal for information as a major search started as part of the ongoing murder investigation.

Police believe Claire has been the victim of a crime.

Today, a team of officers carried out a search of the area around the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub. Using wooden sticks they checked pavements and looked under drain covers.

Leaflets were handed out to passers-by and businesses as part of the appeal.

Dive teams were also expected to carry out an underwater search of the stretch of water next to Castle Park, and of connected drainage pipes.

BristolWorld understands teams will also move into the Bishopston area - an area police believe the young mother may have gone following her disappearance.

A 39-year-old man arrested on suspicion of her murder in 2019 remains under investigation.

The family of Claire, who has four children, last night spoke of the need for answers.

Sister Sarah Holland, who described her as ‘bubbly’ and ‘very kind’ said: “I don’t think you can explain what that feels like unless you are in that situation.

“If someone knows anything, even the smallest thing they might think is significant, just inform the police.

“We’d like to know. We’d like to know if she’s alive, or her whereabouts - anything that can give us some comfort, some closure.

“Her children need some answers. They’ve had their mum taken away from them.”

On the night of her disappearance, CCTV shows Claire walking along Baldwin Street heading towards the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub at around 9.30pm on Wednesday, June 6.

Detectives don’t have any footage showing where she went afterwards.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Darren Hannant said: “It is possible she headed in the direction of the Fountains, near the Harbourside, but we don’t have any footage of her doing so, despite extensive reviews of more than 1,000 hours of available CCTV.

“We’re carrying out a number of intelligence-led searches in the Bristol area today and over the coming days, with some involving the specialist dive team, starting in parts of the city centre and moving to other areas through the week.”

Anyone with information which could help the investigation should call 101 and give the call handler the reference number 5219172645.