Nearly three decades after the tragic murder of Melanie Hall, police have issued an updated e-fit of a man they wish to question in connection with the case. Melanie, 25, was last seen at Cadillacs nightclub in Bath shortly after 1am on June 9, 1996, before her body was discovered 13 years later beside a slip road near the M5 motorway, 28 miles away in Gloucestershire.
This remains one of Britain’s most enduring and complex murder investigations. Avon and Somerset Police have recently launched a thorough re-examination of the case, digitising 90 boxes of evidence to leverage advanced forensic technology. From an initial list of nearly 100 persons of interest, investigators have narrowed the focus to fewer than 20 suspects and are re-interviewing alibi witnesses to verify their original statements.
On the night she disappeared, Melanie was wearing a pale blue silk dress, black suede mules, a cream jacket, and carrying a black satchel—items still missing. Witnesses recall a woman resembling Melanie speaking with a smartly dressed man in a brown silk shirt, black trousers, and black shoes at around 1.20am. The pair reportedly left the venue together shortly before 2am. Police have released an updated color e-fit of this man in the hopes of identifying him.
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Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender, leading the cold case team, described the man as white, mid to late 20s, around 5ft 10in tall, medium build, with dark brown hair and eyes, and clean-shaven. He urged anyone recognizing this description to come forward.
Melanie’s body showed signs of a brutal assault, with fractures to her skull, jaw, and cheekbone, and was tightly wrapped in plastic bags fastened with blue nylon rope. The manner in which she was stripped and concealed indicates the perpetrator may have had forensic knowledge. Advances have enabled the extraction of a partial DNA profile from the rope and bags, which is currently under fresh analysis.
Among those investigated is Christopher Halliwell, a convicted killer serving a whole life sentence for similar crimes involving nightclub abductions and assaults in nearby areas. However, police consider him no more than one of several leads.
With the 30th anniversary approaching, the Operation Denmark team is intensifying efforts and seeking new information, particularly from individuals close to Melanie at the time—former partners, friends, or roommates—who might hold crucial insights or know of suspicious behavior.
Detective Lavender appealed directly to the perpetrator, urging them to come forward voluntarily before law enforcement acts. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101 referencing Operation Denmark or approach Crimestoppers anonymously.