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A teenage boy has been arrested and cautioned after admitting to posting a hoax message on Facebook claiming to be the missing University of York chef, Claudia Lawrence.
The message appeared on the Facebook group ‘Claudia Lawrence Investigation’ in November 2009. The message read: “Hi everyone just let you be aware that I am ok and I am safe and sound. Speak to you all soon. Claudia. xxx.”
A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said that an 18-year-old man from Didcot, Oxfordshire, was cautioned and released after he admitted making a malicious communication and wasting police time. Police said no further action would be taken.
Detective Superintendent Ray Galloway, who is leading the investigation into the disapearance and suspected murder of Miss Lawrence, said: “The posting of this message on Facebook, claiming to be Claudia Lawrence, caused significant anxiety and distress to Claudia’s family and also diverted valuable police resources to pursue a line of inquiry that had no value.
“The arrest demonstrates our determination to pursue anybody that undertakes such malicious and irresponsible behaviour.The investigation into the suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence continues and will do so whilst there are positive lines of inquiry to pursue.”
Miss Lawrence has been missing since the evening of Wednesday March 18 when she made her last known contact, a phone call to her parents from her home.
The 35-year-old was expected to walk the three miles to work at the University the following day for a shift beginning at 6am.But she never arrived and has been missing since.
Despite an extensive police investigation the dissapearance is still unexplained and is now being treated as suspected murder.
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