Man arrested on suspicion of cold case murder of Melanie Hall is released on bail
Cops make 10th arrest in connection to murder 20 years ago, just weeks after major DNA breakthrough in case
A 45-YEAR-OLD man arrested on the suspicion of murdering 25-year-old Melanie Hall has been released on bail.
The man, who is yet to be named, was being held in connection with the death of the university graduate.
Miss Hall was last seen at the now-closed Cadillacs nightclub in Walcot Street, Bath, in the early hours of June 20 years ago in 1996.
Her body was later found in vegetation by the northbound slipway at junction 14 off the M5 at Thornbury 13 years later.
Speaking on the potential breakthrough, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesman revealed: “A 45-year-old man who was arrested as part of our investigation into the murder of 25-year-old Melanie Hall has been released on police bail, pending further inquiries.
“The man was arrested on Thursday in connection with the murder of Melanie in 1996.
“Melanie’s parents continue to be supported by specialist family liaison officers.
“The man was released overnight.”
Officials are now in possession of DNA evidence from an item uncovered at the scene where Miss Hall’s remains were found.
On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance earlier this month, distraught parents Steve and Pat made an appeal for further information, offering £50,000 of their own money as a reward.
Speaking at the time, Mr Hall said: “We believe we’re in touching distance of a significant breakthrough and feel it’s the right time to offer a substantial reward to encourage someone to come forward with information.
“Someone may have been wavering over whether to provide information for a long time.
“This amount of money is life-changing and I hope it will provide the incentive for them to do the right thing.
“The loss of Melanie has been life changing for us and we’ll never be the same people as we were before Melanie disappeared.
“Melanie’s murder has had a terrible impact on our family and I know my wife Pat is tortured by what happened to our daughter, and will never get over it.
“I believe this inquiry will be solved by one of two things – either through the advancement of DNA helping to identify who was responsible, or someone who knows a crucial piece of information having the moral fibre to contact the police.
“I hope by us offering this reward, it’ll encourage this person or these people to come forward.”
Despite the best efforts of all involved, cops do not yet have a prime suspect, or indeed any conclusive evidence that Miss Hall’s death is linked to other murders or offences.
Police have arrested nine people in connection to Miss Hall’s murder in the 20 years following her death.
No one has been charged as of yet.
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