Prime suspect in Suzy Lamplugh disappearance 'took secret to his grave'

Convicted killer John Cannan died in custody while serving a minimum of 35 years for murdering and raping newlywed Shirley Banks in 1989.

He remained the prime suspect in the killing of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh but died yesterday (November 6), aged 70, without revealing what happened to her, top security jail HMP Full Sutton, the Prison Service confirmed.

A spokesperson said: "As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will investigate."

Shirley Bank's husband Richard Banks was just 30 when she was abducted during an evening shopping trip to Bristol. Cannan held her captive in his flat before murdering the 29-year-old by hitting her head with a rock and then dumped her body in the Quantock Hills.

After learning of the killer's death, husband Richard, who has gone on to re-marry and become a director of a recruitment business in Berkshire, said they had 'moved on' and 'didn't want to get drawn into' his death.

Cannan refused pleas from Suzy's family to reveal what happened to her and had been stricken with cancer.

Suzy's brother Richard said previously: "I would like Cannan, if he does know, to tell us what happened to Suze. After all these years, I would like him to finally let us know what happened. It would mean a lot to the family."

Police searching for Suzy have carried out several searches over the years including digging in a field outside Drakes Broughton, Worcestershire., in the hope of finding the remains of the 25-year-old who went missing in 1986.

The dig site was a few miles from two other areas which have previously been searched by police. Cops have also carried out a dig at the former home of the mother of Cannan in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands. The mystery of what happened to Suzy is one of the longest running in UK legal history.

On July 28, 1986, Suzy reportedly went to meet a mystery client - named only as Mr Kipper - in Fulham, west London. Suzy took her keys and a purse containing £15 to the appointment, but left her handbag at her office when she left at 12.40pm.

Police said she was wearing a grey skirt, dark jacket and low heels when she was last seen. Witnesses reported seeing her arguing with a man outside a property in Shorrolds Road, Fulham at about 1pm. It was the last time she was seen alive.

After she failed to attend another appointment, her boss at Sturgis estate agents reported her missing. Her white Ford Fiesta was later discovered in Stevenage Road, about a mile away from her original appointment. 

The car had been left with doors unlocked and handbrake off but her keys were missing but her purse was in the driver's door pocket. Her body has never been found but in 1994 she was officially declared dead, presumed murdered.

In December 2000 police dug up Norton Barracks in Worcestershire and again in  February 2001 after receiving new information. In August 2010, police began searching a field off the B4084 between Pershore and Drakes Broughton, about three miles from the Barracks.

In December 2000, police had also searched a nearby brickworks, which had been mentioned in several of the original witness statements. No-one has ever been charged in connection with her disappearance, but in 2002 police named Cannan as the only suspect.

Cannan was questioned several times over the murder but continued to deny any involvement.