THE mother of suspected murder victim Sallyann John has made a tearful plea for help in tracking down her daughter’s last movements.

The 23-year-old had been on the streets in Swindon as a sex worker at the time of her disappearance 19 years ago, and – following fresh information – police are now convinced she was killed.

They believe she was murdered on or shortly after the last day she was seen, September 8, 1995.

Speaking at an emotional press conference yesterday to appeal for information, her mum Lesley John was supported by the rest of her family and sobbed as she described her long-lost daughter.

Recalling the moment that she learned that Sallyann, from Nythe, was missing, Lesley said: “After they first told me all those years ago my first instinct was she was dead.

“But I have always hoped she is still alive and that I would see her walk back through the door. If she is not, at least we will have that closure.

“We will never forget her. We were quite close and she was close to her sisters, so it was a real shock when she disappeared. I knew what she did for a living and I think she just fell in with the wrong crowd at one stage of her life.”

Lesley said she was grateful to police for reinvestigating the case, which follows a review of the original investigation and “significant new lines of inquiry” being established.

She begged directly for any person who knows what happened to her daughter, who was also known as Sally, to tell the police and give her family peace.

“She was a bright and beautiful girl who could make anyone smile,” Lesley said.

“She had lots of friends in Swindon and many people knew her. I still cannot believe that in all these years no-one has come forward to say where Sally is.

“Someone out there knows what happened to Sally. It is horrible to think that she might have been hurt or alone.

“We really want to know what happened to Sally and someone in Swindon has this information, so I am pleading with you to go to the police. Sally disappeared 19 years ago and I still think of her every day.

“For years I have wondered where she could be and I have had to deal with the thought that she might have been killed. For a long time I, and all of Sally’s family and friends, have not known what happened to her, where she is or if she was even alive.

“As the years have passed, this has not got any easier and has become something that I live with. However, I have never given up the hope that one day she might walk through the door.”

A number of witnesses have placed Sally around the Broadgreen area before the final confirmed sighting, at 10.45pm around Aylesbury Street and Station Road. Sally was wearing a short, pink, nightie style dress, a black jacket, black shoes, and black thigh-length socks, when she was last seen.

Detective Inspector Tim Corner, from Wiltshire Police’s major crime investigation team, said new information had recently emerged following the appeal and paid credit to Lesley.

“It has been incredibly difficult for the family and for her to imagine her daughter has been killed,” he said. “This has been particularly traumatic, but they have remained positive and they are pleased the matter is being reinvestigated, which will hopefully bring some closure. This is a good indication as to how desperate the family are for some closure in relation to Sallyann John going missing, and this was a very emotional appeal.

“They are desperate to find out exactly what happened to their daughter.

“As a result of the publicity there have been a number of people coming forward which is very positive. Some of the information was raised at the time and some of it is fresh, which is very encouraging, especially as it is 19 years ago. Things can still be significant.”

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, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.