Missing chef maybe in Cyprus

Detectives investigating the disappearance of missing chef Claudia Lawrence today said they have extended their investigation to Cyprus.

North Yorkshire Police said detectives have been sent to the Mediterranean island to try to find a man the 35-year-old knew.

Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, who is leading the investigation, was speaking at a news conference to mark six months since the York University chef was last seen.

Mr Galloway said the last text message Miss Lawrence received at 9.12pm on March 18 was from a man in Cyprus.

Mr Galloway said: "Officers from the team investigating the suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence have been sent to Cyprus as a result of lines of inquiry that have developed over the course of the investigation.

"The last text message that Claudia received at 9.12pm on Wednesday March 18 2009 was from a friend in Cyprus. It is not known whether Claudia ever opened this last text message; therefore there has always been a link to Cyprus.

"However, over the course of the investigation it has become apparent that Claudia knew several people who live on the island, and it is believed that during her visits to Cyprus she has also received job offers. Hence the need to pursue these lines of inquiry."

Miss Lawrence was last seen on March 18 near her home in the Heworth area of York.

She was due to walk the three miles to work on March 19 for a shift beginning at 6am but she never turned up.

Miss Lawrence left her cards, cash and passport behind but her mobile phone - a silver Samsung D900 - and blue Karrimor rucksack in which she carried her chef's whites, have still yet to be located.

Detectives have said they are convinced Miss Lawrence has come to harm and they have focused on her complex relationships with a number of men.

Earlier today, her father, Peter Lawrence, said he did not recognise "the girl I've known for 35 years" from accounts of her complex personal relationships.