SERIAL killer Levi Bellfield was lying when he confessed to the murder of a student 24 years ago, detectives have said.

       The triple murderer claimed in May that he had kidnapped, killed and buried Elizabeth Chau, 19, in 1999.

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       Cops have said Levi Bellfield was lying when he confessed to the murder of a student 24 years ago Credit: PA 4

       Elizabeth Chau was last seen a mile from her home in Ealing Credit: Chau Family 4

       Bellfield is serving a whole life term for the murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange Credit: Rex Features

       The decision means the Met Police will not dig up the West -London site where Bellfield claimed he hid her body.

       Ms Chau’s family are disappointed and still want the dig to go ahead.

       Detectives reinterviewed Bellfield, 55, earlier this month at HMP Frankland in Durham.

       A spokesman said: "All relevant lines of inquiry have now been exhausted and the decision has been taken to close this investigation.

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       "As a result of these inquiries, a number of inconsistencies and discrepancies have been uncovered which lead us to believe the confession is false and this individual is not connected to Elizabeth's disappearance.

       "We have remained in close contact with Elizabeth's family throughout this investigation and recently met with them, explaining how we have come to this outcome.

       "This has understandably been a very difficult time for them and we would ask that the privacy of the family is respected.

       "Our thoughts remain with Elizabeth's loved ones."

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       Bellfield is serving life for the 2002-04 murders of schoolgirl Milly Dowler, Marsha McDonnell and Amelie Delagrange.

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       Elizabeth Chau vanished in 1999 Credit: Enterprise