In a tragic twist of fate, Lisa Welford, 49, was the childhood best friend of missing chef Claudia Lawrence, who is feared to have suffered a similarly violent death.

Ms Lawrence was 35 when she was reported missing after failing to turn up for work at York University on March 18 2009.

Lisa Welford's "evil" killer Vincent Morgan has today been jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years after holding her head under the water and drowning her in the River Derwent in April

The mum of Claudia Lawrence has told how she sobbed in agony after discovering her daughter’s childhood best friend had been murdered and recalled how “inseparable” they were as children

The killer of missing chef Claudia Lawrence's childhood best friend Lisa Welford has been jailed for life for drowning her in a river.

Vincent Morgan brutally assaulted mother Lisa Welford before drowning her. He later told police she jumped into the river herself

Vincent Morgan brutally assaulted mother Lisa Welford before drowning her. He later told police she jumped into the river herself

The childhood best friend of missing chef Claudia Lawrence has been murdered by her abusive ex.

Joan said Lisa followed Claudia around like "a shadow' and they became “inseparable” when they were kids.