Huge reward offered by police over murder of university graduate in 1990s

More than 13 years later, on October 5, 2009, workers cutting grass discovered her remains beside the northbound slip road at junction 14 of the M5 motorway near Thornbury.

Nearly three decades after her death, Detective Chief Inspector Ben Lavender said investigators are urging people to think back to the events of that weekend.

Up to £20,000 is being offered by Crimestoppers for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

The night Ms Hall vanished coincided with England’s opening match against Switzerland in UEFA Euro 1996, when the centre of Bath was described as “exceptionally busy”.

Ms Hall was last seen inside Cadillac’s nightclub on Walcot Street, which has since closed.

The Royal United Hospital clerical worker was spotted sitting alone near the dancefloor at around 1.10am on Sunday after her friends had left.

DCI Lavender said: "We believe there's a strong possibility Melanie left the nightclub with her killer, as a coat she had checked into a cloakroom was collected, but she could have met them outside or got into a car."

Police are appealing to anyone who visited Cadillac’s that night or saw Ms Hall to come forward, stressing that even the “smallest piece of information” could prove vital.

“Melanie’s family has endured unimaginable pain and uncertainty for almost three decades and have shown extraordinary strength and resilience throughout this time,” DCI Lavender said.

“Everything we do is driven by the need to provide them with the justice and answers they so desperately need.”

He added that “now is the time” for anyone with information about her disappearance to contact police.

Detectives say they are keeping an open mind about when Ms Hall’s body was dumped beside the motorway, which could have been hours or even days after she vanished.

They are also asking for information about any suspicious activity or vehicles seen near the northbound junction 14 slip road of the M5 in the early hours of June 9 or in the weeks that followed.

Ms Hall had been wearing black suede shoes, a pale blue silk dress and a cream jacket, and was carrying a black handbag.

Her belongings - including cosmetics, a Midland cheque book and a bank card - have never been recovered.

Police are also appealing for information about her jewellery, which included a Next watch with an expanding bracelet and a pair of silver drop earrings.

Since taking over the case in 2025, DCI Lavender has ordered all files and exhibits to be digitised, with almost 100 hours of CCTV reviewed and key witnesses revisited.

Investigators also hope future technological advances, including artificial intelligence, could help bring new breakthroughs in the case.

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