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

Claire was last seen at the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Police teams scour the area near the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street todayPolice teams scour the area near the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street today
Police teams scour the area near the Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street today

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

The Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street where Claire Holland was last seenThe Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street where Claire Holland was last seen
The Seamus O’Donnell’s pub in St Nicholas Street where Claire Holland was last seen

“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.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

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

Claire Holland went missing from Bristol back in 2012.Claire Holland went missing from Bristol back in 2012.
Claire Holland went missing from Bristol back in 2012.

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.”

Related topics: