Witness describes 'Lamplugh kidnap'

Suzy Lamplugh disappeared after going to meet a client

A jogger who believes he saw missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh struggle with a man before being driven away has been interviewed by police.

Scotland Yard said the "important witness sighting" was one of five new pieces of information to have come to light in recent weeks.

The jogger described a woman struggling with a man in a car near a park in south-west London, during lunchtime on the day Miss Lamplugh - whose family hail from west Wales - disappeared in 1986.

"The horn was sounding from the car and he believed the woman to be in distress," the police spokesman said, adding that the jogger saw the car drive off towards Fulham Palace Road.

The Suzy Lamplugh case

28 July, 1986 Suzy Lamplugh reported missing

December 1986 Suzy Lamplugh Trust established

July 1998 Police investigating new lead

May 2000 New witness emerges

Later that day at 1400 BST her car was found abandoned a mile away with her purse was still inside.

Detective Superintendent Shaun Sawyer, heading the inquiry, said: "It may be that the couple were not Suzy and her abductor, but another couple who were arguing.

If that is the case, I would urge that couple to come forward to us so we can eliminate them from the inquiry. "

He added that the reinvestigation is "going well", and that some of the officers on the team have been "quite stunned" at the level and quality of information they are receiving.

Suzy Lamplugh's parents set up a trust to promote personal safety

Suzy Lamplugh's mother said the new witness could bring the conclusion the family wanted to the almost 14-year mystery surrounding her daughter's disappearance.

"It is certainly working to look like we will find out what happened," she said. "We all feel very positive, which is good because we have to get on with our lives."

Last month police seized a car which they believe may have been used in Ms Lamplugh's abduction, 14 years ago.

The Mail on Sunday reported that the car was recovered from a used-car dealership in north London, where it had been parked for several years.

No murder evidence

Police received 25 calls from the public after reopening the inquiry into her death.

Detectives said they hoped an advance in scientific techniques, including DNA testing, would give fresh hope to the inquiry.

The estate agent was last seen at 1240 BST on 28 July 28 1986 after going to show a house in south west London to a client calling himself Mr Kipper.

Police have always assumed she was murdered, but no evidence of the killing was found and her body has never been recovered.