Major update in cold case murder probe into death of Carol Clark, 32, as cops make arrest 30 years after she died
COPS have arrested a 66-year-old man on suspicion of the murder of Carol Clark.
Police investigating the 30-year-old case have arrested a man from Gloucestershire today.
Carol Clark was last seen on March 26, 1993, getting into a car in the Montpelier area of Bristol.
She was wearing a black baseball cap, brown leather jacket, blue denim mini skirt, black polo necked jumper and plain blue t-shirt at the time.
Her body was discovered by a dogwalker in undergrowth near the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal two days later.
She had been strangled and her neck was broken.
Investigators have now reopened the case following the arrest of the 66-year-old man who remains in custody for questioning.
A spokesperson from Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “A 66-year-old man from Gloucestershire was arrested today, Tuesday 4 April, on suspicion of the murder of Carol Clark.”
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Usher said: “We are determined to get answers and justice for Carol’s family, and this arrest is a positive development in our ongoing investigation.
“There is a dedicated team of staff working on this case, and while progress is being made, I’m still asking people to come forward if they feel they may have information which could assist us.
“The location where Carol was found was overlooked by the Severn Way, and on the weekend she was discovered it was the 200th anniversary celebrations of the British Waterways, so it would have been very busy, with foreign-registered vessels in the dock.
“Maybe you were there at the time but travelled back home without hearing about the case until now. Whatever the reason, if you were there and now recall something please report it.
“My thoughts remain with Carol’s family, who have been updated by police family liaison officers on these latest developments.”
Gloucestershire Police previously said last month that officers working as part of the South West major crime investigation team had received information they say could unlock the case.
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Usher said: “I have received new and significant information about this case and while I cannot say more at the moment without putting inquiries at risk, it is an encouraging development and one which has all my officers more determined than ever to find Carol’s murderer.
“But I still need the public’s help. Carol lived and worked in a very close-knit community, and it’s likely that some people with information about what happened to her remained silent, perhaps through fear or misplaced loyalty.
“In the time that’s passed since, allegiances and loyalties will have changed, though, so I’m asking those people to search their consciences once again, 30 years after her death, to look at her photo, to think about the impact this continues to have on her loved ones and help bring the culprit to justice.
“I still want information from anyone who may have seen something near the spot where Carol was found to come forward if they recall anything.
“The location was overlooked by the Severn Way and on the weekend Carol was found it was the 200th anniversary celebrations of the British Waterways, so it would have been very busy, with foreign-registered vessels in the dock.
“Maybe you were there at the time but travelled back home without hearing about the case until now. Whatever the reason, if you were there and now recall something please report it.”
Anyone with information should call police on 101 and quote incident 264 of 27 March 2023 – or report online.
Alternatively, you can give information anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.