Suzy Lamplugh's heartbroken brother demands review of suspect's prison writings

The brother of the long-missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh has called for a fresh examination of the prison writings of the main suspect in her murder, John Cannan, in hopes that they might reveal clues to solve the case.

Richard Lamplugh has urged detectives to meticulously review documents, including novels penned by the convicted murderer, which may contain hints about his sister's fate. Cannan, aged 70, passed away in jail this week while serving a life sentence for an unrelated murder.

In 2002, Scotland Yard identified him as the key suspect in the vanishing of 25-year-old Suzy in 1986. However, Cannan was never charged, and Suzy's remains have yet to be discovered, leaving the incident as one of the UK's most infamous cold cases.

In August, it was reported that Cannan had been refused parole after it was found out he had authored novels while incarcerated at HMP Full Sutton in East Yorkshire, the Mirror reports.

Official reports indicate that these writings included "scenes of sexual violence including rape" and portrayed "characters [who] displayed a dismissive attitude towards women". Now 64, Richard refuses to abandon hope of solving his sister's murder and insists that the police maintain their ongoing review of the case.

He told the Mirror: "It appears he used his own experiences to write novels. We have always known that he was very controlling with information, he loved to play games and withhold clues."

Richard added: "So if someone is able to gain access to his novels and any of his writings, then they may have information that pertains to our case. I could never read them, but if some brave person could look at them then they might hold vital clues."

Cannan was initially given a whole-life sentence, later reduced to a 35-year minimum, for a murder in Bristol in October 1987. He abducted and held a woman captive in his flat before killing her with a rock and dumping her naked body in Somerset.

He was also found guilty of attempting to kidnap Julia Holman and raping a woman in Reading, Berkshire, the previous year. In 2002, he was identified as the prime suspect in Suzy's 1986 murder, but he consistently maintained his innocence.

Suzy vanished after meeting a man known as "Mr Kipper", according to her diary, to show him a house in Fulham, West London. Cannan was nicknamed "Kipper" by fellow residents at a bail hostel, but the police lacked sufficient evidence to prosecute him.

He repeatedly denied any involvement in Suzy's disappearance. Last year, it was revealed that he was terminally ill, and on Tuesday, the Prison Service confirmed that he had died in prison.

Richard stated: "It's never going to bring my sister back, I know that, it's just one of those things. But it would have been nice to have a grave where we could have mourned her. We probably would have scattered her ashes had we finally found out what happened to her body. But we don't have that and it's very upsetting.

"I know there is an ongoing police review, it would be great to get this case solved. So if anyone knows anything they should come forward."

Last year Cannan wrote to the Mirror insisting he did not kill Suzy and accusing police of prejudice against him. He claimed to have an alibi for the day Suzy, 25, went missing in 1986, and said detectives on the case had pointed the finger at him in order to "divert public attention away from themselves". But in August it emerged that parole chiefs had blocked his move to an open prison.

Suzy's brother Richard stated: "We have not had closure or justice, we would have loved that. My parents died never knowing what happened to their daughter. But we have the Suzy Lamplugh Trust which is an incredible legacy."

"I always say that I wish it didn't have to be in existence, but it is and it does excellent work. It's heartbreaking that my mum and dad didn't find out what happened to Suzy. But Cannan would never give up any clues and he took them to his grave."