UPDATED: 11/01/2011 17:58
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Images of Jo Yeates and Rebecca Scott
Nearly a month since Joanna Yeates went missing from her home in Caynage Road Clifton; one of her best friends has spoken for the first time of her loss.
Rebecca Scott, 25, spoke openly of their 10 year friendship. She said: "Jo and I met over 10 years ago at the college where we studied. We were 15 years old and hit it off straight away, we were inseparable and have always remained close friends, even when we went off to separate universities.
"Although we didn't see that much of each other in recent months, as both our lives were so hectic, we have always remained close and when we did see each other it was like we had never been apart.
"She was a great friend and I have many fond memories of her, everyone did. She was full of life and energy, and she had so much life still to live, but that has now been taken away. She was extremely warm and friendly and was at a very happy point in her life."
She added: "Every memory I have her is a fond one, from those first nights out we had together to those holidays in Cornwall where we'd spend time camping. Jo was a great lover of the outdoors. When I came to Bristol to visit we'd often sit by the Clifton Suspension bridge, this was one of her favourite places and talk about everything best friends do.
"She was so happy with Greg to, she'd been with him for over 2 years and they were perfect for each other. They were very close and anyone around them could see that happiness and just how good they were together.
"Jo was besotted with Greg and it was great to see that happiness when they moved in together and got the cat. They were perfect."
Joanna went missing on Friday December 17. After leaving the Ram public house on Park Street following drinks with work friends Jo called Rebecca. Rebecca added: "When I found our Jo had gone missing I hoped she was still alive but deep down I couldn't help but think she'd been abducted and some harm had come to her. The next few days both Emma and I spent handing out posters and flyers, we needed to do something to help; I couldn't sleep so kept in regular contact with Jo's family, Greg and Emma.
"As the days went by, as best we could we tried to have a Christmas, my parents were concerned about me and were upset as they too were close to Jo. On Christmas day we heard the news we had all been dreading, we had the TV on watching the news when it was reported a body had been found.
"In a way I felt relief at the news. I was gutted too but I knew that she was now not a missing person and no further harm could come of her. I remember sending her mum a message saying I'm sorry, I didn't know what else to say. Everyone was devastated."
Joanna's body was discovered in Longwood Lane, in Failand near Bristol, a murder investigation was launched and continues.
Rebecca said: "We are now all desperate to see justice done, so if anyone has information I urge you to call the police. You may not have seen or heard anything but think back, has a friend or family member been acting strangely or suspiciously? If so please call the police and think about how you'd never want your best friend found murdered on Christmas day."
Anyone who would like to contact the police can call 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also visit our Facebook site or website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/jo where there is a dedicated Operation Braid page.
Statement from brother of Joanna Yeates
UPDATED: 8/01/2011 23:01
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Image of Joanna Yeates and family on her 18th birthday
Statement from Chris Yeates & Alla Ritch:
From December 19th onwards I entered into a surreal hole of despair. Jo was my sister and I shared the fear that my parents had that something bad had happened to her. My partner and I have been supporting each other and through the time when Jo was missing contacted many helpful businesses to put up posters and also put up many ourselves to ensure Jo's face was known to as many people as possible. The whole week seemed very unreal up to the time when Jo was found which to me did not bring closure but an acceptance of the situation.
I got to say a final emotional goodbye to Jo and the despair I had was replaced with a wave of deep sadness. The last couple of weeks I have been spending time with my partner and her son comforting each other and trying to get our heads around what has happened whilst supporting my parents as much as possible.
The tremendous amount of support we have had from family, friends and the general public has been truly overwhelming and brings a sense of slight elation at an otherwise tragic time.
All my memories of Jo are positive and I've etched these into my mind. We never had sibling rivalry or negative feelings towards each other. She lived her life to the full and for me is a personal inspiration to follow ones passion and push oneself.
My hope is that whoever did this is bought to justice and I have confidence that the police will track down the person or persons responsible.
My partner Alla had a few words she also wanted to say :
In the past few weeks my family underwent a whirlwind of emotional stress and test of relationships. Jo would be very proud to see how all family members pulled together to provide each other with comfort and support as well as to spread the word via numerous channels.
Thank you all for your heartfelt messages of love and support, it made my family and I feel blessed in these difficult times.
Jo's body looked very peaceful as if she was just sleeping and was about to open her eyes but breath was no longer there. Chris and Jo have similar features and at that point it seemed as if I was standing between representations of both life and death.
Joanna Yeates was and remains a perfect beacon of light and a great example to us all to live everyday to our fullest potential. We could all follow in her example. I am confident that many good things will emerge in her name as a result of this ordeal. She was an architect, a creator of better living space for humanity.
It seems that only the darkest of all souls could literally put her bright light out like this.
Nothing in the world is going to change what happened to Jo, but I hope that whoever is responsible will be stopped from doing any more harm to innocent people.
Family of Joanna Yeates release further statement
UPDATED: 8/01/2011 14:11
It is now 3 weeks since Jo disappeared and our lives were changed for ever. The days have merged into a single period of time. We have still not come to terms with the fact that Jo will never walk through the door and say 'Hi Mum', or 'Hi Dad'. We feel a terrible loss and sadness, not just for ourselves, but for Jo, Chris and Greg.
For Jo, she never had the opportunity to achieve her full potential, experience all the emotions surrounding getting married, the joy of having children, and the excitement of designing and defining a family home.
Chris has lost a sister, someone with whom he could share memories with when we are gone, and someone who he knew loved him just as he loved her.
We had the privilege and pleasure of having Jo with us for around 23 years, before she moved to Bristol. We were aware that she was moving into her adult life, and that 'home' would not necessarily be referring to us and where we lived. We would be 'first reserve'. We would have it in no other way. We gain solace that she had found Greg, and Greg and found her and that up until the time of her murder it was probably one of the happiest periods of her life.
Christmas was her favourite time of the year. I think she enjoyed receiving presents just as much as giving. She always stayed with us over Christmas, and still had the same stocking which she had as a young child - which was always filled with sweets etc. It was heart breaking being in her flat, with her missing, and seeing her Christmas tree with a little pile of presents next to it all wrapped by her, with the feeling that we would probably not see her alive again.
We were excited and looking forward to having Jo and Greg with us over the Christmas period, because this was the first time that either of our children had bought their partner home for Christmas. Our Christmases in the future will be a time for remembering, rather than festivities - thanks to Jo's killer.
We have been overwhelmed by the reactions of everybody over Jo's disappearance and subsequent murder. I truly felt that Jo would simply be just another statistic, lost in all the other violent events which occur each day, but I am heartened that this has not been the case, and that many people, through the words written and the pictures shown, have seen in Jo a small part of what we saw in her.
Over the last few days we have received many cards and letters of condolence which moved us to tears, mostly from people who have never met us or Jo. In many different ways they have been touched by her and her passing. We are most thankful for these messages.
We are currently living in a vacuum until we can put Jo to rest. Our days appear to go past very quickly even though in retrospect we don't do very much apart from talking, and reading the cards and letters which are delivered that day. When our eyes get damp from what we have read, we remind ourselves of how happy Jo was immediately prior to her death, and of the happy times we had when we were a family of four. We feel that currently we are able to support each other, probably because of the shared emotions, experiences and memories. Inevitably, after seeing the changing news in the papers and on television, we spend a lot of time hypothesising about the events which took Jo from a happy carefree young lady to a body dumped by the side of a road - like a piece of garbage.
We maintain regular contact with the police, and continue to give them our support and assistance in any way we can. We would like to reiterate the request for any information which could relate to Jo's death, however small or insignificant it might appear. That single piece could just enable the police to understand what happened, and identify the killer. We are optimistic that the increased reward will concentrate people's minds on where they were on that Friday night, and what they saw which might be relevant.
Police gather information on three week anniversary of Jo's disappearance
UPDATED: 8/01/2011 12:34
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Police gather information on three week anniversary of Jo's disappearance
Police would like to thank members of the public for their cooperation last night as the investigation into the murder of Jo Yeates continues.
Officers attended the Ram pub on Park Street, Canynge Road and Longwood Lane, Failand to jog people's memories and obtain more information which may help the enquiry.
Jo was out with work friends at the Ram on the night of her disappearance (Friday 17th December 2010). Officers know she returned to her flat on Canynge Road that night. Her body was then found on Longwood Lane, Failand on Christmas day.
Police spoke to over 200 people at these locations last night and the response was very positive. As a result the investigative team are following up a number of new leads.
DCI Phil Jones said: "Once again I would like to thank the public – for their patience and understanding last night, and ongoing support.
"I would like to stress that every piece of information we receive is taken seriously and we will continue to work tirelessly to find justice for Jo."
Anyone who would like to contact the police can call 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also visit our Facebook site or website www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/jo where there is a dedicated Operation Braid page.
Avon and Somerset Police and ITV News
UPDATED: 7/01/2011 16:12
The Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, Colin Port, and the Editor-in-Chief of ITV News, David Mannion, have today resolved differences between their two organisations resulting from a report on News at Ten on Tuesday 4 January 2011.
ITV News has made careful note of the concerns raised by the Chief Constable. The Chief Constable has made it clear that ITV News is welcome to attend future Force press conferences.
Both parties now regard the matter as closed and will not be making any further comment.
The complaint made by Avon and Somerset Police to Ofcom is no longer being pursued.
Detectives appeal for information to locate piece of clothing in Joanna enquiry
UPDATED: 5/01/2011 12:41
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Image of sock to similar to that missing from Jo Yeates
Detectives in the Joanna Yeates investigation are today appealing for information to locate a piece of clothing that has not been found since the discovery of her body in Longwood Lane, Failand near Bristol.
Joanna went missing from her home in Clifton on December 17 and her body was found by a couple walking their dog on Christmas day.
Since then detectives on Operation Braid have been working tirelessly around the clock to carry out detailed forensic examinations at not only the site where she was found but at Canynge road.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones confirmed that: "When Jo was found at the site in Longwood Lane her coat and boots were missing. These were later found at her flat in Canynge Road.
"One of her socks was missing and we have yet to find this. It is described as a light grey sock with lighter detail on the toes, heel and shin.
"We have not located this sock at the scene or at Jo's home. I am keen to find it, so I would appeal to anyone who may know where it is to contact my team. You can do this on 0845 456 7000 or via www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/jo"
CCTV footage of Jo has also appeared in the local media: DCI Jones said: "We cannot confirm whether this is Jo as the quality of the footage is very poor, it is very grainy. Were these Jo's last movements? We know she got home.
Since the launch of the Facebook campaign yesterday (Tuesday January 4) the advert launched has been viewed nearly a quarter of a million times and Avon and Somerset website has received hundreds of hits as a result.
CCTV views on our Youtube Channel have rocketed from 70,000 views yesterday to just over 120,000 views. We continue to encourage more people to view this CCTV of Joanna and call the investigate team with any information they may have.
DCI Jones ended the press conference: "This is a complex and meticulous investigation that will leave no stone unturned. Every single piece of information is being followed up and at this stage we have 1000 actions to complete.
"We continue to use all the available professional resources available to us including accredited experts who are specialists in their fields rather than generalists. These resources have been used since the start of what was initially a missing person investigation and now a murder investigation.
"I can assure you that we will find Jo's killers."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or go to www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/jo
You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 – no one will ever know you called, no personal details are taken and calls are not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.
Detectives launch national Facebook campaign in a bid to catch Jo's killer
UPDATED: 4/01/2011 11:05
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Image of Facebook advert for Jo murder enquiry
Detectives investigating the murder of Joanna Yeates have today (Tuesday January 4) launched a national campaign to appeal for witnesses.
Joanna's body was found eight days ago, on Christmas Day, in Longwood Lane, Failand eight days after she was reported missing from her home in Clifton, Bristol.
Today 11 days in to what is a complex murder investigation detective's have issued a further national appeal in a bid to trace Jo's killer.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones said: "The majority of people these days are spending time on Facebook and other social networking sites; this has become part of everyday routine for many people.
"This advert allows us to point people to special features on our website with all the latest information, it allows them to contact the incident room direct online rather than calling in.
"I would once again urge anyone who may have not contacted my team and may have information that could help this enquiry to contact us. Let us decide if this information is significant."
Avon and Somerset police have successfully used Facebook on a number of high profile crimes and events. This method is far more cost effective than poster campaigns and mass leaflet distribution. Due to the viral nature of Facebook this can be shared much wider.
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Head of E-services for Avon and Somerset Police Scott Fulton said: "Social media is growing rapidly and has become a daily factor in most people's routine.
"On this enquiry alone we have had shares of the story from the Force's Facebook page of 24,220, additionally there have been over 63,000 views of the news updates on our website, a further 18,000 on the dedicated Jo page and over 70,000 views of the CCTV clips on our Youtube channel.
"Through the website we have had 260 inbound messages to the incident room.
Anyone can send information to the team this way via www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/jo
"We have been very pleased with information received via these channels on this investigation and we hope this advert will encourage even more people to come forward."
Anyone who can help the investigation can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers will not ask for your name and will make no attempt to trace your call. A £10,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Joanna's killer.
Detectives re-new appeal for information in Jo Yeates murder investigation
UPDATED: 3/01/2011 14:50
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Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones at the conference and a picture of Jo
Detectives investigating the murder of Joanna Yeates have continued to appeal for witnesses and information at a press conference this afternoon.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones addressed the local and National media. He said: "Firstly can I thank you all for coming here today. The support we have received from the media and through them the public is invaluable in what is a highly complex investigation.
"As you are all aware Joanna Yeates went missing from 44 Canynge Road on December 17. Her body was found 10 days ago, on Christmas Day, in Longwood Lane, Failand some three miles from her home.
"We know Jo went out with friends and left them at around 8pm to go home, stopping on the way at three stores in Clifton area.
"Some eight days later her body was discovered.
"Since that time the team and I have been working tirelessly to analyse information from potential witnesses and the public.
"A forensic scene is still in place at Canynge Road and will remain there until later this week.
"I understand that both the public and the media have many questions. As I'm sure you can appreciate some of these questions could prove vital when it comes to an arrest and prosecution, therefore I have to be somewhat guarded in what I am able to say.
"I would like to reassure members of the public and in particular Jo's family that we are exploring every potential hypothesis, to work out what happened to Jo.
"We are carrying out painstaking detailed forensic analysis of her flat and the outcomes from this can take a considerable length of time despite prioritising and working closely with all our forensic service providers. It is very difficult for me to say what the outcomes of these will be, and I urge everyone not to speculate as to these possible outcomes.
"I am satisfied that Jo got back to her flat but I am not going to speculate whether she let someone into the flat, whether someone was already there or whether someone broke into the flat. These are all lines of enquiry which my team are pursuing. At this time I am cannot say where or when Jo was killed or when her body was left on Longwood Lane. The significant snow fall in the early hours of Saturday December 18 has a considerable impact on this and I am working with numerous forensic specialists to determine the timings."
DCI Jones added: "We have had a number of reports of vehicles on Longwood Lane during the late Friday evening and early hours of Saturday morning including a possibly light coloured 4 by 4. This 4 by 4 and the other vehicles may be completely unconnected, but I urge anyone in that car or any other driver in the vicinity that night to come forward.
"I know that there were large Christmas functions taking place at Long Ashton golf club, Bristol and Clifton golf club and Redwood Lodge. I would again urge taxi drivers and those who used the road to call us. They may have information that could prove vital.
"Details surrounding the pizza and the cider are all relevant and I appreciate have been of ongoing interest. What I can tell you is that we still haven't found the pizza, but we have searched all bins in the area and we are working through 293 tonnes of domestic rubbish seized in the vicinity. This is a demonstration of the level of detail we are pursuing on this enquiry.
"At this stage it is still not absolutely clear whether Jo had eaten the pizza. We continue to work with experts to determine this."
DCI Jones concluded: "I can assure you we are determined to solve this crime and bring Jo's killers to justice. However I have to stress that this takes time. This is potentially a long and complex enquiry involving over 70 police officers and staff. No stone will be left un-turned in this investigation.
"We have received over 1300 pieces of information by email, phone and through direct contact with officers at the scene. I would like to thank those members of the public who have provided us with this.
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As a result of this over 900 lines of enquiry have been generated. The investigation team has prioritised 239 of these as high priority. These are followed up and concluded within 24 hours wherever possible. All information is being meticulously examined by the team and we are responding to every single piece of information that is passed to us. We have also viewed over a 100 hours of CCTV footage and are continuing to closely analyse further footage.
"Despite this high number of contacts we still want to speak to anyone who may not have already been in touch with us. I cannot stress enough the fact that every single piece of information is important. You may feel it is not significant or that we may already know, but please call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 and let us make that decision.
"We continue to work with Jo's family and keep them fully updated as the investigation allows us. This is a painstaking investigation that could take time and I appeal to the public and the media to continue to work with us.
"Once again I would like to thank everyone for their support. Thank you."
Anyone who can help the investigation can contact the Operation Braid incident room either on-line via the police website or by calling 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers will not ask for your name and will make no attempt to trace your call. A £10,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Joanna's killer.
Police appeal for further witnesses following the murder of Joanna Yeates
UPDATED: 1/01/2011 20:59
Detectives investigating the murder of Joanna Yeates are continuing to appeal to the public for information.
Joanna's body was found eight days ago, on Christmas Day, in Longwood Lane, Failand
Joanna, who lived in Clifton some three miles from where her body was discovered, had been out with work colleagues in Park Street, Bristol, on the evening of Friday December 17.
She left them at around 8pm to go home. On the way, she stopped off at a local store to buy a pizza. She went home and had not been seen since, until the discovery of her body.
A forensic scene remained for a number of days and the road re-opened on Thursday December 30. Forensic investigations remain at a property on Canynge road.
A 65 year old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released on police bail.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones said: "Firstly I would like to reassure the public that this investigation is very much ongoing. We have a team of over 70 police officers and staff working tirelessly to bring the person responsible for Joanna's death to justice.
"The incident room has been inundated with thousands of calls from members of the public who have provided us with information. This information is being scrutinised and followed up by specially trained officers who are exhausting every lead and avenue that we are provided with.
"I would once again urge anyone who may not have called us to make contact with one of my officers and provide us with any information you may have. You may think your information is insignificant but please let us decide. This will be treated in confidence.
DCI Jones added: "I would particularly like to speak to anyone who may have used Longwood Lane between Friday December 17 and Christmas day. Did you see anyone or any vehicle acting suspiciously in the area?
"We also know that there were large Christmas functions taking place at Long Ashton golf club, Bristol and Clifton golf club and Redwood Lodge. I would again urge taxi drivers and those who drove to functions to call us. They may have information that could prove vital."
A high police presence remains in the Clifton area and residents are urged to call police should they see anyone acting suspiciously.
Anyone who can help the investigation can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers will not ask for your name and will make no attempt to trace your call. A £10,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Joanna's killer.
Family of Joanna Yeates pay tribute to her
UPDATED: 1/01/2011 16:04
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Image of Joanna Yeates in her graduation day gown and hat
The family and boyfriend of Joanna Yeates have today paid tribute to her. It a media conference on Bristol's Harbourside, a place dear to both Jo and Greg, the family put the following words to the worlds media:
Statement from the family Joanna Yeates:
From the moment that we received Greg's phone call on Sunday December 19 until now, time has had no meaning. We had a 'bad feeling' from that moment, which deepened when we arrived in Bristol.
Our lives stopped from the time that we knew Jo was missing.
So far, the worst time was during the first week, wondering whether Jo would be found.
Was she alive or dead, and what happened to her? We dreaded going to our graves without knowing. In a very strange way Jo's body being found was a relief. Although some questions have been answered some remain.
For us it was surprisingly easy to see Jo but there was a deep sadness. It meant we could welcome her back. Due to the circumstances, it will probably be some time before Jo can come home.
We gain a little solace from the fact that the high point in Jo's life was her graduation in November when her life was 'perfect'.
Our grief and sadness includes the experiences which she missed out on, in terms of family and children, and rising through her profession.
For us, we will always miss the presence which came with her; hearing her voice, her lightness, and standing back with pride, watching her grow through life.
Our thoughts and emotions at this time are solely with Jo. We really have little feeling for other things which may be happening. We have no doubt that this will change in the future.
We have been over-awed by the amount of support and practical help from people in Bristol- and especially her close friends Emma and Becky.
We would also like to thank Jo's relatives and friends who set-up facilities on websites, which generated an overwhelming, level of response.
We would like to thank every one personally, but that would be impossible, so please take this as personal thank-you to everyone.
We have received many cards and letters of sympathy, they have all been read.
They have come from all over, many from people that we have never met. All of them moved us, especially a card in which the sender had written a simple 4 line poem. In time we will endeavour to reply to those we can.
We have found the police most considerate in the way we have been treated and kept informed as events have unfolded. We continue to give them our full support and help where we can. We are certain that Jo's killer will be caught.
Jo was taken from us. The method has only intensified our grief.
She was a beautiful and talented young lady who was destined to fly high..........
Her life was stolen from her and she was stolen from us.
Statement from Jo's boyfriend Greg Reardon:
Jo loved it by Bristol's harbourside and found great joy in the local rowing club and evenings out overlooking the water. The memory of Jo will always be with me as I look across the harbour and remember our unforgettable and special times together.
Jo was a beautiful woman, beautiful in mind, body and soul. She had a great career ahead of her as a Landscape Architect and would have achieved a great many more things in her life if only she was given the chance.
I will always love her.
My never ending thanks go out to those who showed so much love for Jo in the events following her disappearance and after dropping everything from all corners of the country, took to the streets of Bristol to campaign for her to be found safe and well. Sadly this wasn't the outcome we had all hoped for, but we all, Jo's dear friends and family, now celebrate the life of one of the most lovely and genuine people to grace this earth.
Many people have approached us wishing to make a donation to charity in Joanna's memory. If you feel you'd like to give something back in Jo's name, I have set up a donation webpage. www.justgiving.com/joannayeates.
This will allow you to show support and appreciation for the Missing People Charity that were so helpful in the campaign to find Jo following her disappearance.
Missing People help re-united broken families with loved ones who run-away or are snatched from the arms of those dearest by tragedy or social problems.
Missing People offer a lifeline for the 250,000 people who run away and go missing each year. For those left behind, they search and provide specialised support to end the heartache and confusion at such difficult times.
Jo's life was cut short tragically but the finger pointing and character assassination by social and news media of as-yet innocent men has been shameful. It has made me lose a lot of faith in the morality of the British Press and those that spend their time fixed to the Internet in this modern age. I hope in the future they will show a more sensitive and impartial view to those involved in such heart-breaking events and especially in the lead up to potentially high profile court cases.
I hope you all have a happy new year. We look out into 2011 with a fresh approach to life in Jo's memory and hope that for her sake, justice is found swiftly.
Police granted more time to question 65 year old man
UPDATED: 31/12/2010 19:12
Police have today Friday December 31, been granted more time to question a 65 year old man arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday December 30, by magistrates.
Officers continue to appeal to anyone who may have information in relation to this investigation to contact the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. A £10,000 reward is being offered to anyone who provides information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this crime.
Joanna murder - man arrested.
UPDATED: 30/12/2010 8:19
Update to the investigation into the murder of Joanna Yeates.
Just after 07.00hrs this morning, police attended an address in Canynge Road and arrested a 65-year-old man on suspicion of murder.
He has been taken into custody at a police station within the Avon and Somerset force area and detained for questioning.
Detectives investigating Joanna's murder are continuing to carry out forensic examinations, and are also continuing to appeal for anyone with any information that can help the enquiry to call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Crimestoppers offer extra reward to help catch Joanna's killer
UPDATED: 29/12/2010 13:12
"This is an update to the investigation into the murder of Joanna Yeates.
Police have received a good response to the appeal for information following yesterday's press conference, which confirmed that this was a murder investigation, after the post mortem examination concluded that Joanna had been strangled.
The independent charity Crimestoppers is offering an enhanced reward of £10,000 to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for her death.
Anyone with information can ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Alternatively, people can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000.
Police investigating Joanna's death are continuing with a forensic search of her home today, and are also continuing to work in Longwood Lane, where her body was found on Christmas Day.
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones, who is leading the investigation into her death, said: "I am very pleased with the response to our appeals from the press conference yesterday.
"There are a number of lines of enquiry we are following up.
"One of these concerns apparent reports that several people were seen or heard in or around Joanna's flat on the night of her disappearance.
"Clearly this is something we are following up.
"As I stated at the media conference yesterday, we know that there were a number of people in the Canynge Road area on the night of Joanna's disappearance.
"We want to hear from any of these people or anyone else with information that can help the enquiry.
"We have, of course, been keeping in contact with Joanna's family and keeping them informed of our progress.
"Late last night, I received a message from Mr Yeates in which he stated he and his family had 'total confidence'. Indeed, Mr Yeates said 'we truly believe that you will identify the person who killed our daughter.
"I am, of course, grateful to have the support of the family.
"They, and the general public, can rest assured that myself and my team will leave absolutely no stone un-turned in our attempts to find whoever killed Joanna and to bring them to justice."
"Everyone can be assured that as soon as any significant developments arise, we will let that information be known.
"In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone – both the Clifton community in particular, and the media – for their co-operation and support in this investigation."We are doing everything we can to help find the answers that we, and that Joanna's family, want and need, and if anyone out there can help us do that, please come forward and speak to us."
Murder enquiry launched over death of Joanna
UPDATED: 28/12/2010 12:21
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Joanna Yeates
Detective Chief Inspector Phil Jones has today (Tuesday) confirmed that the investigation into the death of 25-year-old Joanna Yeates is now a murder enquiry.
He said: "I am leading the murder investigation.
"The post mortem examination has taken longer than usual, because of the frozen condition of her body.
"The pathologist completed his examination last night, and concluded that the cause of her death was compression of the neck; in other words, strangulation.
"As a result of the findings of the post mortem, we believe that Joanna's body has been in the roadside verge off Longwood Lane, Failand, for several days before being discovered on Christmas morning.
"I am very keen to hear from anybody who saw or heard anything or anyone acting suspiciously in the Longwood Lane area particularly the area near to the entrance to Durnford Quarry over the last week but in particular the weekend of Friday December 17 to Sunday 19. This was the weekend when we experienced heavy snow in the area.
"However small or insignificant you think your information might be, please come forward and speak to us.
"Please don't assume we may already have been told the information that you have; we would much rather be told the same piece of information several times over than not be told it at all.
"Today (Tuesday) we are continuing our meticulous search of the area in which Joanna was found, in order to make sure we capture any potential evidence that may be there.
"There are a number of other lines of enquiry that we are pursuing.
"One of these is inevitably going to be how Joanna got from her home in Clifton to Longwood Lane, which is about three miles away.
"This means that we will be looking at any possible routes that could have been taken to get to and from that location. This includes reviewing relevant CCTV footage from cameras on the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which is an obvious link between the locations.
"However, this is just one of a number of routes that could have been taken, and we need to make sure we cover every possibility.
"Another line of enquiry we are following up concerns the night of her disappearance. We know that she had been to the Bristol Ram pub on Park Street with work colleagues.
"We know that she left the pub at 8pm on Friday December 17 and on her way home stopped off at Waitrose on the Clifton Triangle.
"We also know that she went to the Bargain Booze shop and a Tesco Express store in Regent Street, Clifton, where she bought a pizza, leaving that store at about 8.40pm.
"We believe she then returned to her ground floor flat in Canynge Road because her keys, purse and bankcards were still there, together with a receipt from the Tesco store.
"At the time she would have arrived home aprox. 8.45pm, there were other pedestrians and vehicles in Canynge Rd at that time. We would like anybody in the area of Canynge Rd to please come forward.
"I met Joanna's family for the first time yesterday, and we have informed them of all the very latest developments and findings. I do, of course, offer them my heartfelt condolences as this tragic time.
"As you know, they were in the Bristol area yesterday where they formally identified their daughter's body, and also visited the scene where she was found.
"Somebody out there does know what happened to Joanna; someone out there is holding that vital piece of information we need to help provide Joanna's family with the answers they need and want.
"We know some of her last movements on Friday December 17: we know where and when she was found. We now know how she died.
"What we have to do next is find out why she was killed and who was responsible.
"I have a large team of police officers and staff who have been working tirelessly to help find the answers to those questions.
"I would urge anyone listening to me today who has any information whatsoever to please come forward and speak to us.
"They can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or they can use the secure contact form on the force website, http://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/.
Parents formally identify Joanna Yeates
UPDATED: 27/12/2010 16:10
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Joanna Yeates
This is an update into the investigation into the death of Joanna Yeates.
Members of Joanna's family have been in the Bristol area today, and have now formally identified her body.
They have also been to Longwood Lane in Failand, to see where Joanna was found on Christmas Day.
Police are treating her death as suspicious, and are appealing for anyone with any information about her death to come forward.
However, the difficult conditions in which she was found, particularly the frozen condition of her body, means that the post mortem has still not been concluded, and
police are not going to be in a position to confirm the cause of her death until tomorrow (Tuesday) at the earliest.
Police name woman found in Failand
UPDATED: 26/12/2010 11:18
This is an update to the police investigation following the discovery of the body of a woman on Christmas Day in a country lane near Bristol.
The body was found at around 9am yesterday at a roadside verge off Longwood Lane, Failand, by a local couple who were walking their dog.
While a formal identification procedure is yet to be completed, police are satisfied that the body is that of 25-year-old landscape architect Joanna Yeates, who went missing during the weekend before Christmas.
Joanna, who lived in Clifton some three miles from where her body was discovered, had been out with work colleagues in Park Street, Bristol, on the evening of Friday December 17.
She left them at around 8pm to go home. On the way, she stopped off at a local store to buy a pizza.
She went home and had not been seen since, until the discovery of her body yesterday.
Her disappearance was reported when her boyfriend, who had been away for the weekend, returned to their flat on Sunday December 19.
A post mortem examination has been taking place in Bristol today. However, because of the extreme freezing conditions in which Joanna's body was found, it is unlikely that any findings from this will be known until tomorrow (Monday) at the earliest.
Officers are, however, treating Joanna's death as suspicious at this stage but will not be able to discuss this further until the results of the post mortem are known. The police are once again appealing for information, in particular to help fill in the gap between Joanna's disappearance and the discovery of her body.
Officers are keen to hear from people who may have seen anything or anyone acting suspiciously over the past week in the Longwood Lane area.
Police are expected to be continuing their fingertip search in the Longwood Lane area throughout today and possibly longer.
Chief Supt Jon Stratford said: "Our heartfelt condolences go out to Joanna's family for their loss. We have not stopped working hard throughout the Christmas period to find their daughter after she was reported missing.
"Now we will work just as hard to discover exactly what happened to her and how she came to be in Longwood Lane on Christmas morning.
"Until the post mortem examination is able to firmly establish how Joanna died, we are keeping an open mind about the cause of her death.
"However, I would appeal to anyone with any information whatsoever that can help this investigation to please come forward and help us provide Joanna's parents with the answers they so desperately want and need.
Anyone who can help the investigation can call the Operation Braid incident room on 0845 456 7000 or provide information on-line via the special section on the police website or by calling the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers will not ask for your name and will make no attempt to trace your call.
Further updates will be provided as soon as any additional details are confirmed.
Police discover body of woman (Failand)
ADDED: 25/12/2010 15:33
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Joanna Yeates
At 9am this morning (Saturday December 25) a couple walking their dogs found the body of what is believed to be that of a young woman in a roadside verge in Longwood Lane in the Failand area of North Somerset.
The area was cordoned off and Longwood Lane closed at both ends by police, pending an examination of the scene by crime scene investigators.
The closure is likely to remain in place for some considerable time.
A pathologist has attended the scene.
At this moment in time it is far too early to confirm the cause of death or any circumstances or the identity of the deceased person.
We have been in touch with Joanna Yeates' family to inform them that a body has been discovered. They are clearly distressed and upset and our thoughts are with them at this extremely difficult time. We would ask that their privacy is respected.
