Suzy Lamplugh family battle to keep prime suspect in jail

The latest saga in the Suzy Lamplugh story has unravelled after her family called for the key suspect in an ongoing police investigation into her murder not to be released from prison when he become eligible for parole in approximately three years’ time.

Lamplugh was declared dead, presumed murdered seven years after disappearing in 1986 after leaving her branch office to meet a Mr Kipper for a viewing.

Although several suspects have been identified over the years by both police teams and independent sleuths, the long-standing prime suspect is 64-year-old John Cannan, who more than 30 years ago was jailed for killing factory worker Shirley Banks in 1987.

Cannan denies any involvement in the Lamplugh case and over the weekend claimed that police are ‘smearing’ him to prevent his likely release in 2022.

Behind bars

But Lamplugh’s brother Richard told The Mirror over the weekend that the family believe Cannan is the killer and that he should be kept behind bars for ‘as long as is needed’.

They also believe he will eventually reveal details of where her body is to be found.

“We’ve been through so many developments you don’t get your hopes up,” he told the paper.

Police named Cannan as the prime suspect in 2002 but said there is not enough evidence to prosecute. Several sites linked to Cannan have been searched in recent months and years.