Suzanne Lawrence Harold Hill missing teen fresh appeal

Suzanne Lawrence was reported missing in the summer of 1979, after she left her home on July 27 and never returned.

Suzanne, aged 14 at the time, had told her parents she and her 13-year-old sister, Michelle, would be staying with friends in Dagenham. 

Five days later, Michelle returned home following an argument with her sister. 

Police were alerted and officers were informed that the girls had met three boys, aged around 14 to 17, at a fair in Highbury Fields, north London. 

They boys are said to have taken them to a nearby squat, but the address of this was not successfully located when officers visited the area. 

Suzanne Lawrence never returned home to Leamington Road (Image: Metropolitan Police)

The reason behind Suzanne's disappearance has never been uncovered, though the Metropolitan Police has confirmed it is "keeping an open mind" about the circumstances surrounding it, and whether she may have come to harm. 

On the 47th anniversary of her being reported as missing, officers have reshared their appeal for information, alongside e-fit images of how Suzanne, who would now be aged 61, may look. 

Suzanne is described as a white girl, with dark brown straight hair, who was around 5’3” to 5’5” in height and of slim build. She spoke with a local, Essex accent.

Possible e-fit of what Suzanne may now look like (Image: Metropolitan Police)

Timeline of events before she was reported missing

• July 27, 1979 - Suzanne and Michelle leave Neave Comprehensive School, Harold Hill, travelling by bus to Romford train station. The pair then catch a train to Central London. Michelle recalls walking near Arsenal and then Highbury Stadium. 
• July 28, 1979 - The sisters meet a number of boys whilst at a fair on Highbury Fields. The boys take them to stay at a squat, believed to be around a 15 minutes' walk away. 
• July 29 - July 30, 1979 - The girls spend two nights at the squat.
• July 31, 1979 - Michelle returns to the family home in Leamington Road following an argument with her sister, expecting Suzanne to return the following morning. 
• August 1, 1979 - Suzanne does not return. Michelle informs their mother. 
• August 2, 1979 - Suzanne reported to police as missing. 

Detective Chief Inspector Kam Sodhi, who is leading the Met's investigation, believes that the boys who took Michelle and Suzanne to the squat may hold "vital information". 

E-fit created of Suzanne Lawrence based on what police think she may look like aged 61 (Image: Metropolitan Police)

DCI Sodhi said: “After they left the family home, Suzanne and her younger sibling are believed to have experienced a brief period of homelessness.

“During that period, we believe that three boys aged approximately 14 to 17 years, believed to be from the Highbury or Islington area, met the sisters and took them to a local squat.

“I believe these individuals may hold vital information about Suzanne's movements after her sister returned home and I would urge them to come forward.

"We are also particularly interested in hearing from anyone who knew the family, attended school with Suzanne, helped either child, or had any contact with them during the summer of 1979."

Anyone with information can contact police by calling 101, quoting Op Examen and the reference 01/1106320/24 or can provide information anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.