Detectives investigating the murder of Bath hospital worker Melanie Hall have released a fresh appeal for information.
The 18-year-old case is being featured on tonight's Crimewatch programme and includes new detail about a car which police believe may be important to their inquiry.
They want to talk to anyone who owned or had in their possession, however briefly, a white VW Golf GTi hardtop, registration number C752 CYE, between the beginning of April 1996 until August 7 1996 when the car was once again registered with the DVLA.
Officers are particularly keen to talk to anyone who may have owned the Golf, or have information about its whereabouts during that time, with connections to Cardiff and the Pentwyn area, a district north-east of the city centre.
It is believed they may have crucial information that could help the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Mike Courtiour, who has been leading the Operation Denmark murder inquiry since the discovery of Melanie's body in 2009, said: "We are very interested in this car and its possible connection to Melanie's disappearance, and we are appealing for anyone with knowledge of it to contact us, even after all these years."
In October last year, murder detectives asked for information about another white VW Golf GTi – that one a soft-top Cabriolet, that they had recovered.
Det Supt Courtiour said his team was still investigating whether that car was relevant to the inquiry.
They are also still carrying out forensic tests on blue rope they have recovered, similar to that used to bind Melanie's body.
Det Supt Courtiour said: "Our work into Melanie's murder remains very much active and positive. We are following up a number of leads, of which this missing Golf GTi could be very important."
Melanie, who worked at the Royal United Hospital, was killed after disappearing from the then Cadillacs nightclub in Walcot Street in the early hours of June 9, 1996.
The 25-year-old's remains were found 13 years later, next to the slip road onto the M5 at junction 14, on October 5, 2009.
Anyone with any information is asked to call 101 and ask for the Operation Denmark Incident room, or ring the incident room direct on 01179 455 808. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
A 44-year-old Bath man has been arrested on suspicion of Melanie's murder and has been bailed until April pending further inquiries.
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