By The father of missing chef Claudia Lawrence, who is feared murdered, has died without ever knowing what has happened to his daughter.
Peter Lawrence died on Thursday aged 74, in St Leonard’s Hospice, York following a short illness, his family said in a statement.
The retired solicitor, who was awarded an OBE in 2018, had helped make several changes to the law, including changes to the Presumption of Death Act and then the creation of the new Guardianship (Missing Persons) Act, known as Claudia’s Law, to assist people in dealing with the financial and business affairs of a missing person.
Claudia, who was a chef in York, disappeared on her way to work in March 2009. Police believe the 35-year-old was murdered but her body has never been found.
Peter Lawrence was made an OBE for his work supporting the relatives of missing people
Image: Victoria Jones/PA
Mr Lawrence, who received an OBE for his efforts in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2018, said at the time that it was “an absolutely marvellous feeling” to see the proposals clear a major hurdle in the law-making process.
His friend and spokesperson, Martin Dales said: ‘It is sad that nearly 12 years after Claudia’s disappearance from York, Peter never found out what happened to her.
He was a very private person thrust into the full glare of the media. He selflessly devoted himself to helping others with missing relatives through the charity Missing People.’
