A murderer and serial rapist, who is still the prime suspect for the disappearance of a young estate agent, died in a North East prison earlier this month. 

John Cannan died at HMP Full Sutton, in Pocklington on the outskirts of York on November 6. He was 70. 

An inquest has heard that his death was the result of a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. 

Cannan was jailed in 1989 for the rape and murder of Bristol newlywed Shirley Banks, which shocked the nation. 

John Cannon was found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of bride Shirley Banks in 1989John Cannon was found guilty of the kidnapping and murder of bride Shirley Banks in 1989 (Image: PA)

He abducted Mrs Banks, a textile factory manager, in October 1987, keeping her captive overnight, forcing her to phone into work sick, and then killing her. 

Detectives looking into the disappearance of 25-year-old estate agent Suzy Lamplugh said they believed that Cannan had killed her. 

He was also interviewed in connection with the murder of Sandra Court, and linked to a string of abductions and sexual offences starting when he was only 14. 

Missing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh who vanished in July 1986 after going to see a client called 'Mr Kipper' in a house in Fulham, LondonMissing estate agent Suzy Lamplugh who vanished in July 1986 after going to see a client called 'Mr Kipper' in a house in Fulham, London (Image: PA)

Ms Lamplugh vanished on July 28, 1986, after going to show a man around a house in Fulham, in London.

The case remains unsolved with Lamplugh still missing, and is considered the world's biggest-ever missing person's inquiry.

She was officially declared dead, presumed murdered, in 1993, but her body is yet to be found. 

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After the news of Cannan's death, Suzy's brother Richard Lamplugh, 64, said: "We have never been able to properly grieve for Suzy.

"It's really sad that my folks weren't around to even find out where he buried her.

"We would dearly love to be able to find Suzy's body and to scatter her ashes where my parents' ashes are scattered."