Carol Clark: Newcastle man arrested in 31-year-old murder enquiry

Carol Clark from Bristol was killed in 1993

Carol Clark lived in the Montpelier area of Bristol
Author: Jess PaynePublished 25th Mar 2024

A man from Newcastle has been arrested by officers investigating the murder of a Bristol woman 31 years ago.

The 64-year-old man was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of murder and bailed to return to police in June, pending further enquiries.

Carol was 32 when she was strangled, her neck broken and her body dumped in reeds and undergrowth at the side of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

She lived in Picton Street in the Montpelier area of Bristol and was last seen getting into a car there at around 11.30pm on Friday 26 March 1993.

Two days later, on Sunday 28 March 1993, a dog walker found Carol's body close to the water at Sharpness Docks and a large-scale murder investigation was launched.

The case was reopened last year after Gloucestershire Constabulary officers working as part of the South West Major Crime Investigation team received 'new and significant' information.

On the 30th anniversary of the discovery of Carol's body, detectives also launched a renewed appeal for information.

Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Usher said: "We remain committed to getting answers for Carol's family.

"I'm still asking people to come forward if they feel they may have information which could assist us.

"The location where Carol was found was overlooked by the Severn Way, and on the weekend she was discovered it was the 200th anniversary celebrations of the British Waterways, so it would have been very busy, with foreign-registered vessels in the dock.

"Maybe you were there at the time but travelled back home without hearing about the case until now. Whatever the reason, if you were there and now recall something please report it.

"Carol's family have been updated by police family liaison officers on this arrest and we ask that their privacy is respected at this time."

A 66-year-old Gloucestershire man arrested on suspicion of murder last year in connection with the case also remains under investigation.

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