New appeal to find missing Linda Millard

1 March 2019, 09:10 | Updated: 1 March 2019, 09:28

Police are making a new appeal for information about Linda Millard who disappeared 23 years ago today.

Linda, 48, was last seen in Portishead, where she was staying with friends, at around 9.30am on Friday 1 March 1996. 

She previously lived in the Swanage area of Dorset.

Linda was reported as missing at about 10pm on 1 March. A short time later, officers found her car, a white Austin Mini Metro and some of her personal possessions near Battery Point in Portishead. She has not been seen since.

DI Lisa Jones, of the Major Crime Review Team, said: ''We are treating this as a missing person inquiry but we're keeping an open mind about the circumstances of Linda's disappearance and we cannot rule out foul play.

''The case has never been closed and reviews have taken place in the time since the original investigation but sadly we've been unable to locate Linda or find out definitively what happened to her.

''We want to help Linda's family find the truth as they're left with so many unanswered questions and deserve to know what happened to her.

''The passage of time sometimes allows people to come forward with information they may have felt unable to give to the police at the time or they initially felt was not relevant.

''We would encourage anyone with information about Linda's disappearance to come forward now and help her family find some form of closure.''

Linda's family have issued a new statement for the anniversary appeal.

Her daughter Yvonne Cathrall said: ''On behalf of myself and my two brothers, we would like to appeal to the public in relation to the disappearance of our mum. It has been 23 years since our mum went missing and we miss her very much.

''Not a day goes by when we don't think about her and ask ourselves what happened that day.

''If anyone has any information (who may not have been confident at the time), please can they come forward to help. My brothers and I desperately wish to find out so that we can finally have some peace and closure.''

Description of Linda Millard:

White

48 years old

5ft 2ins

Slim

Blue eyes

Chestnut brown hair in a bob style

Last seen wearing a navy blue and white checked shirt, black jeans and a black anorak with a vivid pink trim and collar.

Can you help us with any of the following:

 Did you see, speak to, or have any other communication with Linda in the days or weeks leading up to her disappearance?

Did you see her car, a white Austin Mini Metro (registration M987 LOE), prior to her disappearance or see it being parked in Battery Point in Portishead?

Have you spoken to, seen or heard from Linda since 1 March 1996?

If you can help with any of the appeal points above, or have any other relevant information, please call the Major Crime Review Team on 101 and give the call handler the reference number MP4472/11.

You can also give information anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask for your name or trace your call. You can also give information 100 per cent anonymously via their website at www.crimestoppers-uk.org