UK UK - Claudia Lawrence, 35, Chef, York University, 18 March 2009 #19

[Novosti]

I go along with a new boyfriend

I think a curious thing about this case is that while a romantic relationship gone wrong looks a high likely motive, the act, and its aftermath, were also very likely carried out by more than one person, and with meaningful precision and planning. So this probably wasn't a typical 'crime of passion' carried out by one person in a temporary emotionally agitated state (those murders usually get solved within 24 hours to be honest). Others agreed, probably in advance, that it was the right course of action, and planned and executed their roles accordingly, with pretty impressive competence.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

I think a curious thing about this case is that while a romantic relationship gone wrong looks a high likely motive, the act, and its aftermath, were also very likely carried out by more than one person, and with meaningful precision and planning. So this probably wasn't a typical 'crime of passion' carried out by one person in a temporary emotionally agitated state (those murders usually get solved within 24 hours to be honest). Others agreed, probably in advance, that it was the right course of action, and planned and executed their roles accordingly, with pretty impressive competence.

Yes. It would need to be something extreme. If someone asked another person to help do something like that, in many cases they would be taking a big risk just by asking. And why would the second person agree, given the risk of 25 years in prison for pre-meditated murder, even apart from the fact that most people would just recoil from the idea of being involved inn murder? It's difficult to imagine what it could be. There doesn't seem to be evidence that Claudia felt threatened. She has been described as someone who wouldn't say "boo" to a goose. The night before she failed to turn up at work, she chatted with her mother.

 

[Mrs Marple]

It could have been an off the cuff incident.

Then someone helped the perp clean up.

 

[Mrs Marple]

Yes. It would need to be something extreme. If someone asked another person to help do something like that, in many cases they would be taking a big risk just by asking. And why would the second person agree, given the risk of 25 years in prison for pre-meditated murder, even apart from the fact that most people would just recoil from the idea of being involved inn murder? It's difficult to imagine what it could be. There doesn't seem to be evidence that Claudia felt threatened. She has been described as someone who wouldn't say "boo" to a goose. The night before she failed to turn up at work, she chatted with her mother.

There isn't anything to suggest she felt threatened, but the fact she had multiple affairs with married men suggests she didn't realise the vulnerable position she was putting herself in.

 

[Professor Moriarty]

There isn't anything to suggest she felt threatened, but the fact she had multiple affairs with married men suggests she didn't realise the vulnerable position she was putting herself in.

And some of the men with whom she had affairs seem to have been people you would not invite for tea with the curate. Additionally, some would have had a van.

 

[Novosti]

It could have been an off the cuff incident.

Then someone helped the perp clean up.

It's possible. But flashes of anger crimes often involve blood from punches or use of knives etc. The perp would have to simultaneously lose his rag and then suddenly think about forensics and opt for strangulation rather than blows etc.

 

[Popejohn3]

It's possible. But flashes of anger crimes often involve blood from punches or use of knives etc. The perp would have to simultaneously lose his rag and then suddenly think about forensics and opt for strangulation rather than blows etc.

Yes strangulation was mentioned or implied by others .And if it happened in her secret boyfriend’s car well then he got away Scot free.
Her work colleague told the police about this person.

 

[Mrs Marple]

It's possible. But flashes of anger crimes often involve blood from punches or use of knives etc. The perp would have to simultaneously lose his rag and then suddenly think about forensics and opt for strangulation rather than blows etc.

Strangulation with a cord from hair straighteners for example.

 

[Alpha Zero]

There isn't anything to suggest she felt threatened, but the fact she had multiple affairs with married men suggests she didn't realise the vulnerable position she was putting herself in.

From what I gather and have read, sounds like she had no real idea what was being planned or what was going to happen to her. She was very naive and mixed with the wrong people including criminals.

In answer to other peoples comments too, in my opinion as most of my posts are, this was in no way shape or form a random kidnapping or attack, and neither was it a random attack by the individuals who are involved, this had a level of planning where they have clearly covered their tracks.

She knew too much, the phrases “money laundering” and “mortgage fraud” have been popping up a lot lately m given the nature of the business these people run, it’s worth thinking about

 

[Professor Moriarty]

From what I gather and have read, sounds like she had no real idea what was being planned or what was going to happen to her. She was very naive and mixed with the wrong people including criminals.

In answer to other peoples comments too, in my opinion as most of my posts are, this was in no way shape or form a random kidnapping or attack, and neither was it a random attack by the individuals who are involved, this had a level of planning where they have clearly covered their tracks.

She knew too much, the phrases “money laundering” and “mortgage fraud” have been popping up a lot lately m given the nature of the business these people run, it’s worth thinking about

If Claudia knew someone laundering money, or committing mortgage fraud, would she have told the police or the mortgage lender? Unless she had said that she was going to do this, or might do this, would this be a reason why someone would murder her? If she planned to inform the police or the lender, it would have been unwise to tell the person of her intention. Wouldn't the police have looked at the financial background of the men with whom she had been involved?

I think her personal life is more likely to be the cause of her murder. If you have multiple affairs with married men, older and often unsavoury men, you run a risk.

 

[Mrs Marple]

If Claudia knew someone laundering money, or committing mortgage fraud, would she have told the police or the mortgage lender? Unless she had said that she was going to do this, or might do this, would this be a reason why someone would murder her? If she planned to inform the police or the lender, it would have been unwise to tell the person of her intention. Wouldn't the police have looked at the financial background of the men with whom she had been involved?

I think her personal life is more likely to be the cause of her murder. If you have multiple affairs with married men, older and often unsavoury men, you run a risk.

I agree. I doubt she was privvy to such sensitive information related to finances of the men she was having affairs with. That would have given her leverage. It's a sad fact her relationships were not balanced. Any sense of importance she felt from attracting a married man was based on insecurities and lack of self worth, even if she didn't recognise it.

 

[Novosti]

I agree. I doubt she was privvy to such sensitive information related to finances of the men she was having affairs with. That would have given her leverage. It's a sad fact her relationships were not balanced. Any sense of importance she felt from attracting a married man was based on insecurities and lack of self worth, even if she didn't recognise it.

Yes - I think nothing in Claudia's background or psychology suggests she had a ruthless / criminal streak at all. So it's very difficult to believe either that she herself was involved in criminal business activities, or that she would engage in blackmail. She did appear to enjoy the company of some men, however, who may not have been whiter than white. I think some of the stories about this aspect of her personality has possibly been exaggered following the Ray Galloway comment, though. There is very little to suggest she ever hung around with violent gangland types. I think what RG was getting at was cash-in-hand business types, men who had multiple affairs, and possibly some 'clubland' characters.

 

[Alpha Zero]

If Claudia knew someone laundering money, or committing mortgage fraud, would she have told the police or the mortgage lender? Unless she had said that she was going to do this, or might do this, would this be a reason why someone would murder her? If she planned to inform the police or the lender, it would have been unwise to tell the person of her intention. Wouldn't the police have looked at the financial background of the men with whom she had been involved?

I think her personal life is more likely to be the cause of her murder. If you have multiple affairs with married men, older and often unsavoury men, you run a risk.

It does seem far fetched, however, I go back to the supposed argument she had in the Nags during Cheltenham cup weekend. Now none of us know what was said but when drunk she apparently used to say a lot of things and it seems to me she’s said a little too much to the point she’s been made to “disappear”….

Also if she’s hanging around the circle of men for periods of time , men always drop their guards around women after a while especially if they have slept with them or are close to them , so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Claudia knew certain things about people that could eventually get her in bother, it’s all fun and games until people fall out and then people become enemies and the information people know can be weaponised, she could also have been involved in some way and helped them carry out illegal activities.
It’s been hinted on here and many other places that her own house could even have been used by the people involved for certain activities , drugs, a place to store things?

I’ve also heard a few rumours suggesting the police have been trying to get a few of them done for tax evasion.

As I say, could all be nonsense but I do think it’s a financial matter and money is heavily involved in her disappearance.

I shy away from the “jealous lover” rumour, men are capable of such things but if that’s the case why involve so many people and why would there be 4 arrested over it , and why the planning, usually it’s an impulsive and reckless decision to off someone right?
They , he , or she have had serious motivation one way or another to make Claudia disappear

 

[Popejohn3]

Why did her secret boyfriend not come forward if he is innocent ?
After all if you are genuine about your new girl you would try to find her / find out what happened to her!

 

[FromGermany1]

Why did her secret boyfriend not come forward if he is innocent ?
After all if you are genuine about your new girl you would try to find her / find out what happened to her!

I think, if there is a secret boyfriend, he was married and maybe is still and has something to lose. MOO

 

[Popejohn3]

I think, if there is a secret boyfriend, he was married and maybe is still and has something to lose. MOO

Yes but ….
And now it’s 17 years later !
My feeling is he did it but not premeditated

 

[Novosti]

It does seem far fetched, however, I go back to the supposed argument she had in the Nags during Cheltenham cup weekend. Now none of us know what was said but when drunk she apparently used to say a lot of things and it seems to me she’s said a little too much to the point she’s been made to “disappear”….

Also if she’s hanging around the circle of men for periods of time , men always drop their guards around women after a while especially if they have slept with them or are close to them , so it’s not beyond the realm of possibility that Claudia knew certain things about people that could eventually get her in bother, it’s all fun and games until people fall out and then people become enemies and the information people know can be weaponised, she could also have been involved in some way and helped them carry out illegal activities.
It’s been hinted on here and many other places that her own house could even have been used by the people involved for certain activities , drugs, a place to store things?

I’ve also heard a few rumours suggesting the police have been trying to get a few of them done for tax evasion.

As I say, could all be nonsense but I do think it’s a financial matter and money is heavily involved in her disappearance.

I shy away from the “jealous lover” rumour, men are capable of such things but if that’s the case why involve so many people and why would there be 4 arrested over it , and why the planning, usually it’s an impulsive and reckless decision to off someone right?
They , he , or she have had serious motivation one way or another to make Claudia disappear

Agree with a lot of this. Also the culture of some of the people in the Nags seemed to be very insular. If something were putting those relationships, connections and reputations at risk, the people involved might have regarded it as very serious.