Mystery over missing Libby Squire, 21, is ‘so similar to my girl’s disappearance 10 years ago’, says the mother of chef Claudia Lawrence who vanished from her home when she was 35

• Joan Lawrence said case of Miss Squire brought back memories of her daughter
• Daughter Claudia Lawrence vanished ten years ago today aged 35
• Worked as chef at York University, believed murdered but body never found
• Polish butcher Pawel Relowicz, 24, ‘remains under investigation’ over Miss Squire’s disappearance and to stand trial for unrelated offences

The mother of Claudia Lawrence said yesterday that she would like to meet Libby Squire’s parents after becoming upset over the ‘similar’ disappearance of their daughter.

Joan Lawrence said the case of Miss Squire, 21, had brought back memories of her daughter, who vanished ten years ago today.

She appealed for Miss Squire’s parents, Lisa and Russell, to get in touch so she could comfort them. The couple have spoken of their ‘utter heartbreak and despair’.

It came as police investigating Miss Lawrence’s disappearance said witnesses are ‘withholding vital information’ that could lead to a breakthrough, adding that she was probably attacked by someone she knew.

Claudia Lawrence (right), pictured with her father Peer, went missing as she walked to her job at York University 10 years ago today at the age of 35. Her body has never been found

The disappearance of Libby Squire (pictured), a student at Hull University, reminded the mother of Claudia Lawrence about her own daughter going missing

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Miss Lawrence, 35, a chef at York University, vanished from her home in York and is believed to have been murdered, though her body has never been found.

Miss Squire, a philosophy student at Hull University, was last seen on a bench close to her student home in the city at 11.40pm on January 31 this year.

Mrs Lawrence, 75, said that when Miss Squire mysteriously vanished after a night out it made her ‘sit up and think because it’s so similar’.

‘I was quite upset when I saw about Libby Squire, because she’s got long, dark hair and you can’t help but be reminded when you see the searches going on,’ she told the York Press. 

Joan Lawrence said she understood how Miss Squire’s parent felt. ‘I know exactly where they are coming from and if they would like to get in touch with me, I’m a good listener,’ she said

‘I understand how her parents feel, know exactly where they are coming from and if they would like to get in touch with me, I’m a good listener. It really helps if you talk to someone in the same situation. I have a lot of friends and they are really great, but say they can’t imagine what it’s like.’

Meanwhile, Miss Lawrence’s father Peter said the decade of uncertainty had ‘destroyed his family from the inside’ and that he now struggles to believe his daughter is still alive.

Mr Lawrence, a retired solicitor, said the pain was ‘less raw, but no less significant’, adding: ‘It still eats into you, the not knowing’. He appealed for anyone with information to come forward and ‘put the family out of their misery’.

Yesterday, Detective Superintendent Dai Malyn, of North Yorkshire Police, said police ‘do not believe Claudia fell victim to an attack by a stranger’. 

Polish butcher Pawel Relowicz, 24, was arrested over Miss Squire’s disappearance and ‘remains under investigation’ while he is to stand trial for unrelated offences

A major search operation took place following Miss Squire’s disappearance. Police divers searched the lake in Oak Road Park in Hull near to the home of missing 21-year-old student in February

He said: ‘It remains the case that we strongly suspect key and vital information is being withheld that could provide the breakthrough that we all want to see, not least Claudia’s heartbroken family.

‘Unless we get information or intelligence to suggest that Claudia came to harm as a result of an opportunity taken by someone unconnected to her, the team and I still strongly believe the answer lies locally.’ She was last seen at her home on March 18, 2009 and was reported missing after she failed to appear at work the next day.

Nine people have been arrested or interviewed in connection with her disappearance. Police submitted files to the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to several men in their fifties but there is insufficient evidence to bring charges.

Detectives arrested butcher Pawel Relowicz, 24, over Miss Squire’s disappearance and said he ‘remains under investigation’. He is to stand trial for unrelated offences after pleading not guilty to five charges of voyeurism, an indecent act and three burglaries.

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