Libby Squire missing: 'Blood-curdling screams' heard on night Hull student disappeared
Officers investigating report of lone female voice crying out 'like someone being attacked'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police are investigating reports that a neighbour of missing student Libby Squire heard “blood-curdling screams” on the night she disappeared.
The woman said she heard a female voice crying out "like someone being attacked" about 45 minutes after the last confirmed sighting of the 21-year-old near her home in Hull.
Humberside police have received hundreds of calls about the University of Hull student since she was reported missing in the early hours of Friday.
Officers have been taking statements from people who live in the area she was last seen.
Ms Squire was dropped off in a taxi near her home on Wellesley Avenue, in the Newland suburb of the city, at around 11.29pm on Thursday.
She was seen 10 minutes later on CCTV near a bench on Beverley Road, where a driver stopped to offer her help. The student is believed to have remained in the area until around 12.09am on Friday.
A woman who lives close to Ms Squire's home reportedly heard a scream which "sounded like someone being attacked” at about 12.30am.
“It was blood-curdling,” she told The Sun. “It was just one female scream. I was in bed reading and it made me sit up and go, ‘Oh my God.’”
The neighbour, who was not named, said she then heard other voices "muttering" and more screams before a wooden door or gate slammed shut.
Police confirmed they were investigating the woman’s report, as well as a number of other lines of inquiry.
A spokeswoman said: “We have received hundreds of calls from members of the public offering information and their assistance, and we are extremely grateful for everyone's help.
"Our house-to-house inquiries are continuing and we are visiting residents to speak to people and take statements as part of the ongoing investigation."
Officers from the regional police marine unit searched a pond near to Ms Squire's home on Tuesday as the search for the student entered its fifth day.
Four officers waded through waist-deep water, using sticks to break the ice and search beneath the surface.
The police spokeswoman said: "Our searches are ongoing again today for 21-year-old Libby, who's originally from High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire.
"Hundreds of students, University of Hull staff, as well as members of the public, have been helping our officers since she was reported missing."
Police said they were supporting Ms Squire's parents, who issued urged the student to contact them in an emotional appeal on Monday
"It is breaking my heart not knowing where you are," said her mother, Lisa Squires.
Police have revealed they found Ms Squire's mobile phone at her home but said it had not provided any clues about her whereabouts.
Officers have also viewed hundreds of hours of CCTV footage in a bid to track the student's movements and identify anyone who may be of interest to the investigation.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.