Suzy Lamplugh's body could be in one location as expert says 'wouldn't be surprised'

The remains of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh 'could have been hidden anywhere', suggested a psychology expert as a Birmingham murderer likely took his secrets to the grave. Convicted killer and serial rapist John Cannan - detectives' prime suspect in the Lamplugh case - died in prison this week, leaving her family with 'no closure' as her body remains undiscovered.

The 70-year-old, who was raised in a middle-class Sutton Coldfield family, repeatedly denied his involvement in Miss Lamplugh's 1986 disappearance. He was jailed for life in 1989 for the rape and murder of Bristol newlywed Shirley Banks, along with a further sexual offence, an attempted kidnapping and two offences of abduction with intent to engage in unlawful sexual intercourse.

No one was ever convicted of the estate agent's murder, with Cannan failing to provide the 'deathbed confession' many hoped he would. Now, after Cannan's death on November 6, Birmingham City University Professor Craig Jackson, an expert in Occupational Health Psychology, has said: "Her remains could be anywhere. He never really gave any good clues, never let anything slip."

Read more: Suzy Lamplugh's brother says 'no closure' as Birmingham killer takes secrets to the grave

Excavations at the former barracks in Pershore and Cannan's mother's old home in Sutton Coldfield resulted in no evidence being recovered in 2019 and 2018 respectively. But Professor Jackson, who dubbed Cannan a "psychopath", suggests archaeologists could not fully dig the area as it had since been rebuilt.

Regarding the barracks in Pershore, Worcestershire, he explained: "There was only so much the police could do because it was a new build housing estate. The thing about Worcestershire is that it is part way between Midlands, if you were travelling from London to the Midlands, somewhere half way might be a good body deposit site.

"I wouldn't be surprised if Suzy was still there. Until the barracks is searched thoroughly - that is still the best chance we have." After Cannan's death, brother Richard Lamplugh spoke of his hopes for clues in a 'book written in prison' which may lead to the discovery of her body.

Such 'prison writings' and any letters in and out of prison, Professor Jackson said, should all be examined for possible patterns or hidden meanings as Cannan 'liked to play games'. Over the years, it has been suggested a fake licence plate on a car at Cannan's house may have links to Suzy's death, with the letters 'SLP' and '86' included.

He also was said to have gone by the name 'Mr Kipper' in prison, which was suggested as an anagram for Kidnapper. Professor Jackson added: "He enjoyed playing games. He was very intelligent, he wanted people to think he was smarter than them.

"For people like Cannan, who are motivated by sexual offending, by their desires, it is never switched off. Those desires are 24/7. When you are constantly having fantasies about kidnap and murder, it makes sense to do things that play around with things like the names or registration plate.

"The problem with sexually motivated murders is that they don't tell you everything when they are in prison. They clearly keep some information; once that information is given, they lose any power or influence."

Despite being refused parole in 2023, Cannan may still have thought he had a chance at freedom in the years to come, Professor Jackson said. "He would never speak [about Suzy] as he clearly had hopes of parole.

"He may have gone for parole another two or three times." He believes Cannan may have kept hold of information, such as the location of her body, to try to "better his situation with the authorities."

He added: "He had a couple of reasons [for not speaking about Suzy]. Mainly he believed he would be able to be free. He is not necessarily seeing himself as a bad person, he wants sex, he believes he has the right to sex and can use his charm to get sex when he wants it from women.

"We have this romantic view that people have deathbed confessions. Why would they give in? It's like running a marathon and giving up at the last hurdle. It makes no sense to confess everything at the end.

"We don't know how Suzy was killed, where she was killed or where her body is. There is no doubt he is guilty. I think it's highly unlikely you will get a solution now." But Professor Jackson now believes there will be a "slew of jail house confessions" from inmates at HMP Full Sutton, where Cannan served over three decades before his death.

Other prisoners may now claim Cannan told them where Miss Lamplugh is buried, leading to more excavations. But he fears many may be false to gain favour with authorities. "We might get a slew of those, most of those will be spurious at best," he added.

Have you been affected by crime in the Midlands? We would like to hear from you. You can contact us by emailing stephanie.balloo@reachplc.com