13 April 2023 , 21:03
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The mother of one of killer cabbie Christopher Halliwell’s victims says he could have murdered Claudia Lawrence too because of links with the area where she vanished.
Karen Edwards, whose daughter Becky Godden, 21, was strangled by the fiend in 2003, said Claudia’s family deserve “some peace”.
Chef Claudia, 35, was last seen returning from work at York University in March 2009 and her mother Joan, 79, says police need to further probe Halliwell’s possible links with the case.
Karen, 62, agrees, saying a witness close to the killer told her he wanted to relocate to Yorkshire.
She said: “One witness said he always wanted to move to York or Yorkshire. I feel he’s connected with Claudia’s case. He was a taxi driver, for God’s sake!
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“He once admitted ‘They want me for eight more!’”
Karen Edwards fears Claudia fell victim to the same monster who murdered her daughter Becky (SWNS)Former Det Supt Steve Fulcher believes Halliwell could be a serial killer and in 2016 claimed the brute told him “police want to interview me about eight murders”.
Karen says a number of witnesses have approached her, including women who claim Halliwell stalked them in Yorkshire and Bath, Somerset.
She said: “He gets an obsession with people and befriends them. We don’t know if Claudia knew him.”
It is believed Halliwell worked in Yorkshire for a building firm based in his home town of Swindon, Wilts.
Becky Godden was 21 when she was killed (Godden Family / SWNS)
Claudia Lawrence's mother Joan (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)At night, he was said to vanish while colleagues went drinking.
Karen said: “I’ve been through what Joan’s been through, having your daughter missing.
“I am the lucky one as I have a grave to visit now. I feel guilty because I’ve got my little girl back.
“I know where she is and that gives me a huge peace of mind. Now let’s try and help Joan to find some peace, too.”
Christopher Halliwell is serving a life sentence (PA)Becky’s body was found in a Gloucestershire field eight years after Halliwell killed her. He also murdered Sian O’Callaghan, 22, in 2011.
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Halliwell was already serving life for killing Sian when he was jailed for life in 2016 for Becky’s murder.
North Yorkshire Police have said the probe “remains reactive” and they are “committed to providing the answers those close to Claudia need”.