DETECTIVES investigating the suspected murder of 23-year-old Sallyann John in 1995 are following fresh clues since relaunching the case.

Sallyann, also known as Sally or Sal, of Kimmeridge Close, Nythe, was an active sex worker in the town at the time of her disappearance on the evening of 8 September 1995.

Nineteen years on police are now treating Sally’s disappearance as murder after unearthing new evidence.

Despite a concerted national appeal lasting more than two months, she was never found, and her case has been left to lie on file until now.

A number of witnesses have placed Sally around the Broadgreen area before the final confirmed sighting, at 10.45pm around Aylesbury Street and Station Road.

Sally was wearing a short, pink, nightie style dress, a black jacket, black shoes, and black thigh-length socks, when she was last seen.

During the initial investigation, sex workers around Swindon were interviewed and Sally’s boyfriend, of Nythe, was spoken to.

Early indications suggested Sally may have left Swindon voluntarily, but a search of her flat showed she had not returned for a change of clothes or her mobile phone.

Officers from the Major Crime Investigation Team are still urging the public to contact them with any information they have about Sally’s movements at the time, no matter how small.

Det Insp Tim Corner, lead investigator with the MCIT, said: “In the last 24 hours we have been contacted by several people who knew Sally back in 1995.

“We have several leads to follow up but I would urge the public to continue to get in touch – we need to speak to anyone who has the smallest bit of information. I believe someone holds the key to what happened to her.

“Today we are asking local neighbourhood policing teams to hand out leaflets to jog the memories of people in the area Sally was last seen in Aylesbury Street and Station Road.

“It is 19 years since she went missing so we are asking the public to think back and come to us with any information regarding her movements during the days leading up to her disappearance on Friday 8 September 1995.

“We have significant new lines of enquiry that teams of detectives are looking in to as we speak but we do need the help of those who knew Sally to really piece together her last days.

“Sally’s family have been waiting a long time for closure and someone out there could provide this by speaking to police.

“We will treat all information with the strictest of confidence.”

Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they might think it is, should contact Wiltshire Police on a dedicated phone number for this investigation 0800 056 0944 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

You can print out the poster issued by police here