THE mother of missing Sallyann John has made an emotional appeal for information after police launched a murder investigation. 

Speaking at Gablecross Police Station this morning, Lesley John said: "“Sally disappeared 19 years ago and I still think of her every day. For years I have wondered where she could be and I have had to deal with the thought that she might have been killed.

"For a long time I and all of Sally’s family and friends have not known what happened to her, where she is or if she was even alive. As the years have past this has not got any easier and has become something that I live with. However, I have never given up the hope that one day she might walk through the door.

"She was a bright and beautiful girl who could make anyone smile. She had lots of friends in Swindon and many people knew her. I still cannot believe that in all these years no one has come forward to say where Sally is.

"Someone out there knows what happened to Sally. It is horrible to think that she might have been hurt or alone. We really want to know what happened to Sally and someone in Swindon has this information, so I am pleading with you to go to the police.

"In all these years lives change and so do friendships and relationships. I know the police want to hear from anyone who knew Sally, and I would urge them to come forward – they may not have spoken to police at the time she disappeared but now they might be able to. That small bit of information might be the key to giving us closure and finally knowing what happened to our girl.

"It won’t bring her back but it will ease our suffering. Please come forward and help us find Sally.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101. Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.