THE tragic murder of 25-year-old Melanie Hall has never been solved.
But who was suspected of murdering the nurse and leaving her in a bag to be found 13 years later? Here’s everything you need to know.
Who was suspected of killing Melanie Hall?
Melanie Hall, 25, was last seen alive in Cadillacs nightclub, Bath, on June 9, 1996.
That night, she vanished without a trace.
Alarm bells were raised when she didn’t show up to work at the Royal United Hospital on June 11.
Her mum also worked at the hospital and phoned Melanie’s dad to see where she was, but it soon became clear that something had gone wrong.
Police trawled through 96 hours of CCTV footage, but there was nothing on film showing Melanie leaving the nightclub or walking through the streets of Bath that were covered by cameras.
Tragically, 13 years after she vanished without a trace, Melanie’s remains were discovered buried on the edge of the M5 motorway in October 2009.
A worker discovered them while he was cleaning on the side of a slip road near Thornbury, South Gloucestershire.
Despite the discovery leading to a breakthrough for police investigating the case — they were still no closer to catching her killer.
By 2019, those investigating Melanie’s disappearance and death had made 11 arrests — although no one has ever been charged with her murder.
Suspects include taxi driver Christopher Halliwell, whose victim Sian O’Callaghan was murdered with a blunt instrument after leaving a club in Swindon in March 2011.
However, Avon and Somerset Police ruled him out.
The serial killer Levi Bellfield — whose three victims between 2002 and 2004 include Surrey schoolgirl Milly Dowler — was also in the frame.
He has not been charged with anything related to the case.
The police even wondered if Suzy Lamplugh suspect John Cannan — serving three life sentences for the murder of Shirley Banks in October 1987 — could have conspired from prison to have a rapist find Melanie at the Bath club.
I feel incredibly sad for Mel, that she never got to have her life… a career, love, the joy of having children etc
Melanie’s sister, Dominique
Speaking about Melanie’s death, her sister Dominique told The Sun: “I feel really cross that Mel lost her life and we had ours turned upside down by someone else.
“I wonder if they have any thought or compassion for what they have done, I doubt it.
“I feel incredibly sad for Mel, that she never got to have her life… a career, love, the joy of having children etc.
“I hate not knowing what happened.
“I know she had significant injuries, but I hope and pray that whatever happened it was quick for her, or that there was only one person involved not a gang or something awful like that.
“Obviously, I have no idea what happened to her.
“All I know is that she was incredibly kind and trusting and I’ve often said that, because of this, she might have trusted the wrong person that night.”
Is Melanie Hall’s case still open?
Melanie’s case is still open and no person has been brought to justice for her murder.
An e-fit was released as part of a public appeal in 1996 which was said to have been of a man who was with Melanie in Cadillacs nightclub.
The detective superintendent leading the investigation has said that the police are still interested in finding out who this man is as it is still a focus of their appeal.
The police also received reports of a woman, potentially matching Melanie’s description, arguing with a man around the corner from the nightclub entrance, between 1.45am and 2am.
Where can you watch C5’s Body In The Bag: The Murder Of Melanie Hall?
Channel 5 is delving into the mysteries of the case in their documentary Body In The Bag: The Murder Of Melanie Hall.
It will air on September 16, 2024, at 10pm.
Viewers who miss the live showing can catch up with the case on Channel 5’s streaming service My5.
I believe that Melanie did know her killer
Supt James Riccio
Supt James Riccio, who is leading the investigation into Melanie’s murder hopes that the Channel 5 documentary about the crime may encourage people to come forward with information.
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 believe that Melanie did know her killer.”
The documentary first aired in 2023.
