New TV documentary to focus on unsolved murder of Melanie Hall

A new TV documentary focussing on the unsolved murder of 25-year-old Melanie Hall, whose remains were found near Bristol, will be broadcast tonight (September 28).

The documentary features interviews with Melanie’s father Steve and sister Dominique, as well as Senior Investigating Officer Supt James Riccio.

The last confirmed sighting of Melanie, who worked as a clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath, was at 1.10am on Sunday 9 June,1996, sitting on a stool at the edge of the dancefloor in Cadillacs nightclub (now Walcot House) in Walcot Street, Bath, following a night out with friends.

Her remains were found next to the northbound slip road of the M5 at junction 14 (Thornbury) by a workman on 5 October 2009.

In the documentary, Melanie’s family speak about the terrible impact her disappearance had on them, with Steve speaking of the family’s “deep sorrow, and deep grief”, while expressing his firm belief there are people out there who know who’s responsible for her murder.

He said: “When Melanie was murdered, it wasn’t just one person’s life that was taken, it changed and ruined many lives after. Mine, my wife’s, my daughter’s, my mother’s – there’s obviously someone out there, and probably some people out there, who know what happened to Melanie. If they felt they could come forward with information which led to us finding out what happened to Melanie, then at least we could feel that we’ve done all we can do for our child.

“We’re different people now. That night when she disappeared, we changed – we are not the people we were before. We carry a deep sorrow, a deep grief. We’ve lost something very beautiful and very precious to us that we can’t replace…it’s a family with a piece missing.”

Melanie’s sister, Dominique, added: “I would hope that somebody might think about my mum and dad, they are both nearly 80 now, that someone might find some little drop of compassion or empathy for my mum and dad…and think now would be the time to let them know and have the answers that they need.”

Supt James Riccio, who is leading the investigation into Melanie’s murder, said he hoped the now documentary would trigger memories and prick consciences, encouraging those with information to contact the police today.

He said: “Just one small piece of information could solve this case and help us uncover the truth about what happened to Melanie that night.

“My team and I continue to be humbled by the courage, bravery and support that Melanie’s family have shown over the years and we desperately want to find answers for them.

“We will always be led by the evidence but based on the information we have amassed and meticulously reviewed, based on the 6,000 plus investigative actions, 2,000 statements, the accounts, the intelligence, the deposition location, I’m of the belief that Melanie did know her killer.

“An E-fit was released as part of a public appeal back in 1996 of a man seen inside Cadillacs nightclub with a woman matching Melanie’s description. This is still very much a focus of our appeal to the public today and we want to know who this man is.

“We’d also like information about an unconfirmed sighting of a woman, potentially matching Melanie’s description, who was engaged in an argument with a man in Old Orchard, around the corner from the nightclub entrance, between 1.45am and 2am. We don’t know whether this was Melanie, so if anyone has further details which could help on this aspect, please call us.

“I want members of the public to come forward if they recognise the individual in the E-fit. If you look at it and think ‘actually I know someone who was in Cadillacs that night’, or if you know someone who was watching the Euro 96 England vs Switzerland football game in Bath that evening, or if you think it’s someone who may have known Melanie, now is the time to get in touch.

“We suspect that whoever has done this has told someone, and allegiances alter over the decades. Someone knows who killed Melanie and someone knows how she ended up at the side of the M5 at junction 14, and these dark secrets need to be brought into the light.

“We have a number of enquiries we’re pursuing. It’s very much an active case, and there may be more related operational activity in the near future.”

You can provide information direct through the Major Incident Public Portal and the dedicated Melanie Hall appeal page here: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/5201020103A06-PO1.

You can also contact us with information via 101. Please inform the call handler you are calling about the Major Crime Investigation Team’s Operation Denmark inquiry.

Or, you can provide information anonymously through the independent charity Crimestoppers, which can be contacted on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name or trace your call. You can also visit www.crimestoppers-uk.org

The documentary, The Body in the Bag: The Murder of Melanie Hall, will be shown on Channel 5 at 9pm tonight (Thursday 28 September).