POLICE have confirmed they are reinvestigating the disappearance of Sallyann John.

Sallyann, originally from Nythe, was 24 when she disappeared in September 1995. 

A prostitute, she was last seen in the Manchester Road area on September 8.

A woman matching her description was seen looking at train timetables at Swindon railway station early in the morning of September 9.

Now, almost 20 years after she went missing, police have confirmed the case is now a murder inquiry.

Detective Inspector Tim Corner, Major Crime Investigation Team (Op Brunel), said: "Today, Wiltshire Police is appealing for any witnesses and information relating to the disappearance and suspected murder of Sallyann John (known as Sally or Sal).

"Sally was 23 years old when she went missing from her home town of Swindon in 1995. She has not been seen or heard from since this time.

"This reinvestigation was initiated following a review of the original investigation and significant new lines of enquiry were established.

"This has been reclassified as a murder investigation as detectives believe it is likely that Sally was murdered following her disappearance in 1995.

"She was last seen in the Aylesbury Street/Station Road area of Swindon at approximately 10.45pm on Friday September 8th 1995.

"Wiltshire Police launched a high profile missing person’s inquiry which ran until December 13th 1995 but, she was never found.

"Sally was born and brought up in Swindon and lived at Kimmeridge Close in Nythe and was working as a sex worker in the town at the time of her disappearance.

"Sally maintained a good relationship with her family – in particular her mother Lesley John and had a circle of friends in the town.

"Although the original missing person investigation concluded in 1995, Sally has remained a missing person on the Wiltshire Police database.

"As part of this reinvestigation, Wiltshire Police will be revisiting witnesses and evidence from the original investigation. Wiltshire Police have been in contact with Sally’s family and will be supporting them throughout this process.

"I would like to hear from anyone who may have information on Sally’s disappearance – no matter how small or insignificant they may think this. This includes any information regarding sightings of her in the days leading up to, during and after Friday 8th September 1995, any contact with her after this period or any information in the days leading up to her disappearance.

"Someone, somewhere has vital information regarding Sally's disappearance and I urge them to make contact with us. I would also like to make it clear that we appreciate that people’s lives will have changed in the last 19 years and that relationships may now be different. I would like to reassure callers that any information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.

"Anyone with information, no matter how insignificant they might think it is, should contact Wiltshire Police on a dedicated phone number for this investigation 0800 056 0944 or if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."