The officer who led the search for Suzy Lamplugh has called on the Home Secretary to block the release of the prime suspect.
John Cannan, serving 35 years for the rape and murder of another woman, could be up for parole in five years.
But retired Det Supt Jim Dickie has warned the evil killer, now 64, will strike again if released.
He said: “The Home Secretary... must make the right decision about Cannan’s release.
“He is a threat to any young female. I strongly believe that if he were released tomorrow, he would go on to reoffend.”
Mr Dickie spent six years probing estate agent Suzy’s 1986 abduction.
He said: “I’m as sure as you can be that Cannan is responsible.”
In November last year Cannan issued a statement via his solicitor Matthew Claughton denying that he killed the estate agent - as police began digging up his mum's former home in Sutton Coldfield.
It read: "John Cannan continues to deny involvement in the 1986 disappearance of estate agent Suzy Lamplugh.
"Mr Cannan hopes that the search of his mother's former home will conclude swiftly so as to bring to an end speculation as to his involvement in this matter."
After the fortnight-long search yielded nothing, Detective Chief Superintendent Richard Wood, said “the case would remain open.”
“She is presumed dead, and is believed to have been murdered,” Det Chief Supt Wood said.
“Her body has never been found, and no-one has ever been charged as part of the investigation.
“I would like to pay tribute to Suzy’s family for their support during the Met's investigation into her disappearance, as well as for their courage and strength through decades of sorrow.
“This latest line of enquiry must have been traumatic for them, as well as bringing them some hope that they might find out more about what happened to Suzy, but they have always been supportive of our efforts to make progress in the investigation.”
Miss Lamplugh was declared dead, presumed murdered, after going missing at the age of 25, having left her west London offices to meet a mystery client known only as Mr Kipper.
Cannan was named by police as their prime suspect in 2002 and Miss Lamplugh's death has remained one of the UK's most notorious cold cases.
Three days before her disappearance, Cannan had been released from a hostel at Wormwood Scrubs Prison, where he served a six-year sentence for rape.
He was also connected to the case due to his strong resemblance to an e-fit of her abductor and, according to reports, he was nicknamed Kipper while serving his earlier sentence.
Cannan is currently serving three life sentences for the 1987 kidnap and murder of Shirley Banks, the kidnap of another woman and rape of a third.
In December 2018, it was reported that he had claimed more than £60,000 in legal aid while in prison.
