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Donavan Van Lill: New appeal over Chippenham man's disappearance

Donavan Van Lill: New appeal over Chippenham man's disappearance

BBC News04-03-2025
A fresh appeal has been launched by police 15 years after the disappearance of a father of two.Colleagues of Donavan Van Lill, 29, raised the alarm on 3 March 2010 when he did not show up for work in Chippenham, WiltshireWiltshire Police said it "remains committed" to finding out what happened to him. and believes the answer to his disappearance will be found in the local community.Detectives have urged anyone who might know something to share it "no matter how small or insignificant".
'No sign of disturbance'
The last known sighting of Mr Van Lill - a leisure centre staff member and keen Corsham rugby player - was at 01:00 GMT on 3 March 2010 at his home address at 3 Blackthorn Mews in Pewsham, near Chippenham.His landlord, who was also a friend, reported that Mr Van Lill was on his way to bed, and all seemed well. Mr Van Lill was believed to have been at his home until about 10:00 GMT that day but never arrived at the Olympiad Leisure Centre, where he was due to start work at 14:00.Police said there was no sign of a disturbance or any evidence of forced entry, and his white Citroen Saxo was found on the drive where he had left it the evening before.But despite extensive police operations and several appeals for information over the past 15 years, no trace of him has been found.
Police said Mr Van Lill was known as a "reliable employee", so colleagues were concerned when he did not answer his phone.Previous investigations have not shown a reason why he might have "voluntarily left Chippenham without telling his friends and family of his intentions".
Det Insp Debbie Hatch from Wiltshire Police said: "We remain committed to finding out what happened to Donavan."I believe that the local community of Chippenham holds key information that might help us understand what happened to Donavan and urge anyone with information no matter how small or insignificant you think the information is to speak to us."Your information could prove vital to our investigation and help provide Donavan's family with much needed closure" she added.
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