Mary Bastholm: Excavation work to begin at Fred West cafe

PA Media

Excavation work is to begin at a cafe where police have been searching for a teenager whose disappearance was linked to serial killer Fred West.

Mary Bastholm went missing in Gloucester in 1968 and police have been searching the cellar of the Clean Plate cafe she used to work at.

Officers were called there on 7 May following suggestions a body may have been buried there.

There is enough evidence for excavation work to take place, police said.

Miss Bastholm, 15, was wearing a blue coat when she disappeared - and police have now revealed a production company filming a documentary at the cafe tipped them off after finding an image of blue material in one area of the cellar.

Serial killer West was previously suspected over her disappearance.

Det Ch Insp John Turner said: "The analysis from our experts and the material provided by the production company means there is enough evidence to justify excavation work beginning.

"I've spoken to the family and was so impressed by their quiet dignity and gratitude for all the work we've done and will be doing."

Forensic archaeologists confirmed on Monday that there were a number of structural anomalies within the cellar that would be investigated, with work set to begin on Wednesday and last for several weeks.

Ms Bastholm's family said they were "extremely happy" that police were continuing the search.

"This gives us a chance to potentially put her at rest after all these years," they said in a statement.

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May 18, 2021 at 09:36AM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-gloucestershire-57152485