Claudia Lawrence
Missing Since: 18th March 2009
Claudia was last seen on the evening of 18th March 2009 at her home in York. She was due to start work at 6am the next morning but never arrived. She left behind her bank cards, passport, and other personal belongings, but her backpack, which she always took to work, was missing, suggesting she intended to leave as usual that morning.
Help spread the word. Share this case with your contacts on WhatsApp. Every share increases the chances of finding answers.
About Claudia
Claudia was born on 27th February 1974 in Malton, North Yorkshire. She grew up in a close-knit family with her father, Peter, her mother, Joan, and her older sister, Ali. Claudia had a comfortable childhood, attending York College for Girls before pursuing her passion for cooking at a local catering college, where she trained as a chef.
After working in hotels and restaurants around York, Claudia sought a better work-life balance and, in 2006, took a job as a chef at the University of York’s Goodricke College. She was known for being punctual, reliable, and well-liked by colleagues. In 2007, she purchased a terraced cottage in Heworth, a suburb of York, just a few miles from her workplace.
Unanswered Questions
There are often thought to be four key questions that could hold the answers to Claudia’s disappearance.
When did Claudia go missing?
Claudia is believed to have gone missing on the morning of 19th March 2009, possibly on her way to work. Some theories suggest she was picked up by someone, but no clear evidence has confirmed this.
Who were the couple seen arguing?
At 6:10am on 19th March, a male and female were seen arguing near a car in the right area. Could this be a crucial lead in Claudia’s disappearance?
Who turned off her phone?
Claudia’s mobile phone was switched off at 12:10pm on 19th March in the wider York area—an unusual event that could be significant.
Who was the man on CCTV?
At 7:15pm on 18th March, a man was caught on CCTV walking behind Claudia’s house. He appeared to stop when someone passed by on the main road, as if trying to avoid being seen. Police have never identified this man.
Listen to the podcast ‘Answers for Claudia’
Journalist Tom McDermott has launched a podcast exploring the disappearance of Claudia. Her mother, Joan, is now making a renewed plea for help. Having built a close and trusting friendship with Joan, Tom tells her story in this powerful podcast.
Our Founder, Dave Grimstead, recently joined Tom to discuss her disappearance, and how Locate International can help. Dave shares insight into missing person investigations, the challenges of long-term cases, and why cases like Claudia’s still need public attention. As mentioned in the series, we have agreed on a course of action with Claudia’s mother. This is confidential, but we can confirm that we are committed to offering whatever support we can.
“The purpose of today is not for me to ask you lots of questions about Claudia, the case, the background.
Our organisation started because there are a number of people in a similar situation to you that are looking for those answers, and sometimes not everything that could be done was at the time and that’s affected trust, it’s affected confidence in the future. And there are so many people who want to help from all parts of the collegiate, and that includes policing. There are plenty of people in policing who want to make a difference to yourself, for others in similar situations.
So, part of the reason for starting Locate was to tap into that voluntary support, and everyone in the organisation is a volunteer”
There is always hope, and you could be the person that makes the difference.
No matter how seemingly small the information you have, it really may be the answer we need. Information provided can be submitted anonymously, and submissions will be treated in confidence. Everything we receive will be reviewed by our dedicated team of volunteers. Please do not use this form for emergency assistance in locating a person. Please call 999.