DETECTIVES investigating the suspected murder of Claudia Lawrence still have one outstanding line of inquiry which could shed light on the case, The Press can reveal.

Nine years after the York chef disappeared on March 18, 2009, police have confirmed that the inquiry - which relates to DNA profiling - has still not reached a conclusion.

North Yorkshire Police said in January last year, as the force scaled down a £1 million review of the case, that the profiling was the only outstanding line of inquiry and it estimated it would take a further six weeks to finalise the matter.

But a force spokesman said today: “The DNA profiling work has taken longer to process than originally anticipated, but it is due for completion and we will publicly confirm this when we are in a position to do so.”

He said: “The investigation remains in the reactive phase and is being maintained by the Cleveland and North Yorkshire Major Investigation Team.”

He said the profiling work related to multiple DNA samples recovered during the investigation, one of which related to a partial DNA profile found on a cigarette in a car.

Meanwhile, the force has released a statement on social media saying it will ‘never give up on Claudia and her family,’ and will continue to investigate any new leads.

It said: “Information is regularly received but we strongly suspect key and vital information is still being withheld that could provide a breakthrough.

“We all hope that those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder are brought to justice.

“Our thoughts and continued support are with Claudia’s loved ones at this poignant time.”

Claudia was 35 when she was last seen in Heworth, where she lived, on March 18, 2009.

She was reported missing the following day after she failed to turn up for a shift at work at the University of York.

In 2013, North Yorkshire Police announced the Major Crime Unit was to review the investigation into her disappearance and forensic officers subsequently carried out a new search at her Heworth Road home which lasted several weeks.

Four men were later arrested on suspicion of her murder but the case against all four was dropped.

The force said last January the three-year probe had now moved to a ‘reactive phase,’ which would review any new and compelling information that came to light.

Claudia’s mother Joan said last week that she had existed in a “dark hole” since the disappearance of her daughter nine years ago.

She said she would never stop looking for Claudia, adding: “It is a mother’s love and that will never change.”

Claudia’s father Peter is due to give a press conference later today.