Metro readers urged to help find schoolgirl who vanished nearly 50 years ago

A 14-year-old girl who vanished in 1979 is feared to have been murdered, as officers directly appeal to Metro readers for help.

Suzanne Lawrence disappeared after leaving home with her 13-year-old sister Michelle in Harold Hill, east London.

They told their mum they were staying with friends in Dagenham, but Michelle returned home five days later, alone.

The pair had met three boys, aged around 14 to 17, at a fair in Highbury Fields, north London.

They were taken to a nearby squat where they stayed for two nights, but Michelle returned home after getting into an argument with her sister.

She expected her Suzanne to come home the next day, but she has not been seen since.

Police originally believed Suzanne joined the travelling fair, but are now exploring the circumstances of her disappearance – including if she came to harm.

Michelle said: ‘I was the last member of the family to be with my sister before she disappeared.

‘We left home together and for a period we were both trying to survive away from home. Eventually I returned, but Suzanne did not.

‘Many years have passed, but not a day goes by without wondering what happened to her.  Our mother is now elderly and, like me, has lived for decades without knowing what became of her daughter.  No family should have to endure such uncertainty for so long. 

‘If my sister is alive, I want her to know that she has never been forgotten.’

Police are directly appealing to Metro readers as some of the last sightings of Suzanne were on public transport.

The sisters left Neave Comprehensive School in Harold Hill and caught the bus to Romford train station on July 27 1979. They caught the train to central London.

They then stayed in a property near the then Highbury Stadium before spending the next two nights at the squat with the boys a 15-minute walk away from Highbury Fields.

Detective Chief Inspector Kam Sodhi said: ‘This is about finding answers for Suzanne’s sister and wider family, who cannot understand why she never came home.

‘I want to appeal directly to Metro readers to help us with this appeal.

‘If you know anything, however small, that could help us find out what has happened please get in touch with us.’

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.