Melanie Hall's family is appealing for information 30 years after her murder in Bath. They express hope that her killer may still be found as police renew their investigation.
Key points
Melanie Hall was murdered 30 years ago.
Her family is appealing for new information.
Steve Hall expresses hope for resolution.
Police are renewing their investigation.
Mentioned in this story
Melanie HallSteve HallAvon & Somerset PoliceBath
The family of Melanie Hall, who was murdered after vanishing from a Bath nightclub 30 years ago, have said they still hope her killer may be found – but felt time was running out – as police launched a fresh appeal for information.
Melanie’s father, Steve Hall, said: “You always think in the early days there’s going to be a quick resolution. That’s not been the case but we travel in hope. I hope I live long enough to see a conclusion.”
He said seeing Melanie’s killer in court would not bring closure. “The only closure I’d get is if Melanie walked through that door. I try not to think about reasons why people do these things. I view that person a bit like you would view a wild animal that attacked and killed your daughter. I can’t identify with them as a human being.”
Steve Hall, Melanie’s father, and Dominique, her sister, sit at a kitchen table
Steve Hall, Melanie’s father, and Dominique, her sister, hope that with the passing of time, someone might want to come forward with information. Photograph: Avon & Somerset Police
Melanie’s older sister, Dominique, said: “Thirty years is a long time. She’s been gone longer than she was alive. It’s like a feeling of time ticking on. Dad’s 82 and I’m not far off 60, and I hope we get the answers that we need and the justice for her while we’re still able to. I feel like we’re running out of time.”
Steve and Dominque showed Melanie’s bedroom, largely untouched, as part of the fresh appeal. Her soft toys still lie on the bed and her books are on the shelves. Her pictures and photographs have been faded by the sun.
The family said Melanie’s mother, Patricia, had advanced dementia. Dominique said: “She’s not going to get any of the answers she needed. It’s really down to me and Dad now to speak for Melanie and to speak on behalf of my mum as well.
Poster featuring requests for information and a photo of Melanie
A Justice for Melanie campaign poster. Photograph: Avon and Somerset Police
Q&A
What happened to Melanie Hall 30 years ago?
Melanie Hall was murdered after disappearing from a nightclub in Bath 30 years ago.
Why is Melanie Hall's family making a fresh appeal for information?
They hope that someone may come forward with information that could help identify her killer.
What did Melanie Hall's father say about finding closure?
Steve Hall stated that seeing his daughter's killer in court would not bring closure, as he would only feel closure if Melanie returned.
What are the police doing in relation to Melanie Hall's case?
The police have launched a fresh appeal for information as part of their ongoing investigation into her murder.
To mark the 30th anniversary, Avon and Somerset police’s Justice for Melanie campaign is designed to transport people back to the weekend of her disappearance to try to trigger memories. It was the era of Cool Britannia and on the night Melanie disappeared, England drew 1-1 with Switzerland in their opening Euro 96 match, with Alan Shearer scoring. Bath was vibrant and busy.
Appealing to people to think back, the lead investigator, DCI Ben Lavender, said: “Just one small detail or memory could prove to be a huge breakthrough and solve Melanie’s murder.”
As part of the campaign, messages about the case will be shown on screens during Bath Rugby’s home match on Saturday. They will also appear on an advertising van travelling around the city.
Melanie’s bedroom remains largely untouched with her soft toys still on the bed and her books on the shelves.
Melanie’s bedroom remains largely untouched with her soft toys still on the bed and her books on the shelves. Photograph: Avon & Somerset Police
Steve recalled driving to the police station after Melanie vanished. “I got this idea in my head it might have been the last time I would ever seen her. It was dawning on me that there was a major problem.
He remembered seeing his daughter’s face on the front of the local newspaper. “Nothing prepares you for it. Like car accidents, you always think they’re going to happen to someone else, but occasionally they happen to you.
“I assumed she was dead after a few days. I could see no other solution. As the years went by a numbness crept in. To some extent there was a feeling of relief when she was found. At least you had confirmation of what you were dreading.”
A photo of Melanie smiling with a scarf in her hair and wearing a stripy T-shirt
Melanie’s remains were found in a bag by a workman on the M5 slip road at junction 14, north of Bristol. Photograph: PA
He said he hoped someone might come forward with fresh information. “It may be someone is dying, and they want to make a confession. Maybe someone is suddenly falling out with their partner and no longer wants to protect them.”
Dominique said she hoped a woman might help them. “I maybe would appeal to a mum or a sister out there that might have a doubt about a male person in their life – think about what my mum’s been through and have some compassion.”
The last memory she has of Melanie is her wearing a pink, floaty skirt. “She was a beautiful young woman and very gentle. She didn’t think bad of other people, she was quite naive in that respect.
“I feel angry that she lost her life at 25. I feel angry that I lost my sister. It’s like I’ve lost part of myself, my identity. I feel angry for my children that they lost their auntie, who would have had a massive influence. And I feel so sorry for my mum as well.”
Dominique said she tried not to think about what happened to her sister and the idea of her being scared was her biggest challenge. “I tend to put in a box – otherwise I find it a little bit overwhelming. I hope and pray that whatever happened to her was quick she didn’t know it was coming.”
