Missing estate agent's brother breaks silence on killer's whining prison letter

28 December 2023 , 18:46

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Richard Lamplugh holding photograph of his sister Suzy (Image: Channel 5)

The brother of missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh has dismissed the denials of prime suspect John Cannan.

Cannan’s bid to be freed from jail failed in October after serving over 30 years for murdering factory worker Shirley Banks in 1987. In a letter from prison to the Mirror, he claimed he had been prejudiced against after police named him as the main suspect in the 1986 disappearance of Suzy.

But Suzy’s brother Richard has brushed aside the killer’s whining and has revealed the family believe Cannan, 69, murdered her. Richard, 63, said: “His story may be true but there’s no proof of it. He’s probably trying to make up a story, but I wish he had come out with it when he was first arrested. I don’t think we’re stopping him getting out of prison because of Suzy, it’s because of his behaviour in prison and what he has done. I’m pleased he’s in prison. If he killed my sister then as far as I’m concerned he’s doing time for it. And if he didn’t kill my sister, he’s doing his time for the murder he did commit. He murdered and raped... As far as I’m concerned he should stay in prison.”

Murder victim Shirley Banks (Collect)

Suzy went missing aged 25 after going to meet “Mr Kipper”, according to her diary, to show him a house in Fulham, West London. She was officially declared dead, presumed murdered, in 1993 despite her body not being found. In 2002 police named Cannan as the prime suspect after it emerged he was nicknamed Kipper when Suzy disappeared.

John Cannan (SWNS.com)

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Last Friday the Mirror published a letter from Cannan in which he claimed he had taken his mum for a meal in Birmingham at the time Suzy vanished. He insists he told officers in 2000 about the alibi. Richard said he thinks Cannan will never be tried over Suzy, but added: “The police think it’s him, and I’m going with them and the evidence.”

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Suzy’s parents Diana and Paul died before they could find out what happened to their daughter. Richard said: “We’ve never been able to grieve. When a person goes missing like this you don’t want to grieve because you are hoping they will walk through the door. I constantly miss her.”

Suzy and her siblings Tamsin, Lizzie and Richard (SKY)

Former car salesman Cannan was convicted in 1989 of abducting and murdering textiles factory manager Shirley, 29, in Bristol. He was also found guilty of other offences including the rape of a woman in Reading, Berks. Cannan was given a whole life tariff, which was later reduced to a minimum of 35 years. Two months ago the Parole Board decided not to release him, ruling he is still a risk to the public.

Dan Warburton