How Shearer's Euro 96 goal could help solve woman's murder

Police believe the memory of Alan Shearer's opening goal in Euro 96 could help solve one of their longest-running cold murder cases.

Melanie Hall, 25, was last seen alive at a nightclub in Bath in the early hours of 9 June 1996. Her body was found in October 2009, wrapped in bin bags beside the M5 near Thornbury.

Avon and Somerset Police has launched a new campaign called Justice for Melanie, designed to trigger details and memories of the day she disappeared.

Detectives said this includes England drawing 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening Euro 96 match the previous day, which Alan Shearer scored in, adding Bath would have been vibrant and busy.

Marking the 30th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives said the cold case is one of the highest profile, and longest-running investigations ever carried out by the force, with hundreds of officers involved.

Detectives believe the killer could finally be exposed as they launch a fresh appeal and use the latest technology to refresh their archives.

Melanie, from Bradford-on-Avon in Wiltshire, worked as a clerical worker at the Royal United Hospital in Bath.

She had spent the evening on 8 June 1996 with her boyfriend and friends and went to Cadillacs nightclub in Walcot Street, Bath.

Witnesses said she had argued with her boyfriend, who left the club upset after seeing her dancing with another man.

The last confirmed sighting of her was at 01:10 BST on Sunday 9 June, when her friends left the club.

Police said she was sitting by the side of the dancefloor on her own.

Melanie's remains were found by a workman on the side of the slipway leading onto the M5 northbound carriageway at Junction 14, 13 years later.

Despite 11 arrests over the years - including one in 2016 - no-one has ever been charged with her murder.

The independent charity Crimestoppers has offered a reward of up to £20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Melanie's murder.

Steve Hall, Melanie's 82-year-old father, said he hopes he lives "long enough to see a conclusion".

"We're looking for – and I think there's more than one person who knows what happened to Melanie – that at some point there'll be a change of mind," he said.

"We're hoping that somewhere along the line, there'll be a change in someone's mind and they'll come forward with information that, for whatever reason, was withheld up until now."

Dominique Hall, Melanie's sister, said the last time she saw Melanie was the Friday before she disappeared. She "wore a pink, flowery floaty skirt" and "looked absolutely stunning", Dominique said.

She said: "I feel very angry that she lost her life at 25. That someone chose to take that away from her.

"I feel angry I lost my sister. It's like I've lost part of myself.

"[I'm] angry for my children, that they lost their auntie who would have had a massive influence on their young lives. I feel so sorry for my mum as well.

"It took me to get to having children who were 25 or 26, to think 'what must my mum have gone through?'."

Dominique said her mum now has advanced dementia.

"Even though mum won't understand what's happening now, and she won't understand any answers if we get them, we'll still be doing justice for my mum as well as Mel if we got some answers now," she said.

"It broke my mum."

DCI Ben Lavender, lead investigator, said: "Melanie's family have endured unimaginable pain and uncertainty for three decades and have shown extraordinary strength and resilience throughout this time.

"Everything we do is driven by the need to provide them with the justice and answers they so desperately need."

The campaign will see messages throughout the town be advertised, including during the match between Bath Rugby and Leicester Tigers on 6 June, as well as on a van travelling around the city and various venues, to help people think back to anything they remember.

DCI Lavender said: "As we approach the 30th anniversary, the Justice for Melanie campaign is asking people to think back. Just a minute of your time to take you back to Saturday 8 June 1996.

"Just a normal night out in Bath enjoying a few drinks with your friends.

"Not just another night for Melanie Hall.

"It was the last confirmed sighting of her alive. Just one small detail or memory could prove to be a huge breakthrough and solve Melanie's murder."

Melanie had suffered extensive head injuries, police said, adding her remains were wrapped in black bin liners and tied with blue rope.

Her clothing, jewellery and belongings have never been found, including a pale blue silk dress, black suede mule shoes, cream single-breasted jacket, Next watch, silver drop earrings and a black handbag, police said.

• 9 June 1996: Melanie is last seen at the former Cadillacs nightclub, and a missing person inquiry was launched the next day
• 13 March 2003: Police searched several sites in the Bath area, following the arrest of two men in connection with the case. Months later the men were told they face no charges.
• October 2009: Bones found near the side of the M5 to the north of Bristol are identified as Melanie's remains.
• December 2009: Melanie's funeral took place in Bath - 13 years after she went missing.
• November 2013: A man was arrested on suspicion of her murder.
• November 2014: The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to charge the man.
• June 2016: Police said a partial DNA profile obtained from the rope could belong to her killer - though no one has ever been charged.
• March 2026: Police confirmed officers were using the latest technology to refresh their archives and launched a renewed appeal.

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