A 22-YEAR-old woman was killed just yards from her home after she discovered a pub owner’s illicit affair.
But the riddle continues 36 years on because Helen McCourt’s body was never discovered.
Ian Simms, the 31-year-old landlord of the George and Dragon pub in Billinge, Merseyside, was jailed for life in 1989.
Her case led to a landmark conviction based on DNA evidence, despite her body never being found.
Despite overwhelming proof including Helen’s blood, hair, and an earring found in Simms’ flat and car, he never confessed or disclosed what he did with her body.
Just two days before she went missing Helen got into a heated argument with a woman in Simms’ pub.
The then 31-year-old landlord Simms was married at the time with two young children.
It was said he had repeatedly made sexual advances towards Helen, and had moved in his 21-year-old lover.
It was thought he suspected Helen of gossiping about his secret affair.
After the row, Simms banned Helen from the pub, swore at her and told others how much he hated her.
On February 9, 1988, Helen called her mum before leaving work to ask her to make an early dinner.
Helen was last seen stepping off a bus near her home at 5.15pm.
The short walk home would take her past the pub.
A man leaving another bus told how he heard a loud, abruptly stopped scream coming from the pub.
Helen was never seen again.
A bin liner containing Helen’s clothing was later found on a riverbank, along with Simms’ bloodstained jumper.
Fibres and DNA evidence matched Simms and Helen, and a blood fingerprint on his staircase sealed his guilt.
Simms maintained his innocence until his death in June 2022, taking the secret of Helen’s whereabouts to his grave.
Helen’s disappearance devastated her family, particularly her mother, Marie, 79, who has spent the last 36 years searching for answers.
For decades, she searched for her daughter’s body and campaigned tirelessly to ensure other families wouldn’t suffer the same torment.
In 2015, Marie launched a campaign for a new law, later dubbed Helen’s law, to stop convicted murderers who withhold information about their victims’ whereabouts from being eligible for parole.
Helen’s Law, officially titled the Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Act, became law in 2020.
It requires the Parole Board to consider whether prisoners have disclosed the location of their victims’ remains when deciding on their release.
She was handed an MBE, and named in the New Year Honours List in 2022.
She said at the time: “I wanted to make things better for families. My husband John has been absolutely monumental for me.”
Before this case, many believed that without a body, there could be no conviction. The popular assumption was that if someone hid the body, they could escape justice
David Wilson
But for Marie, the fight isn’t over.
She continues to hope for the day her daughter is found and finally laid to rest.
David Wilson, a professor and criminologist, told The Sun Helen’s case was ground breaking.
It was one of the first “no body” convictions in the UK.
He said: “Before this case, many believed that without a body, there could be no conviction.
“The popular assumption was that if someone hid the body, they could escape justice.
“Helen’s Law was introduced to challenge this belief, showing that a conviction could be secured based on substantial evidence, even without a body.”
David claimed murderers often revel in the pain they cause families by not revealing the location of their victims.
He added: “Many offenders refuse to admit guilt, taking the location of their victim’s body to the grave.
“It’s about power and control. But even without a body, the family has the right to know the truth.”
Helen’s Law has gone on to help other desperate families.
Danielle Jones disappeared aged 15 in June 2001. Her body was never found.
Stuart Campbell was convicted of her murder in 2002.
Danielle’s mother, Linda, does not want Campbell released until he reveals where her daughter’s body is.
Suzanne Pilley, a 38-year-old bookkeeper from Edinburgh, went missing in 2010.
Her former partner, David Gilroy, was convicted of her murder in 2012, despite her body never being found.
Merseyside Police told The Sun: “Merseyside Police continues to work with Helen’s family to try to identify the location of her body, and we of course welcome any new information.
“We remain committed to investigating all information which may help in the recovery of Helen’s body, and bring her family some closure after all these years.”
Anyone with information can contact @MerPolCC, call Merseyside Police’s Major Crime Unit on 0151 777 8618 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
Helen’s blood, hair and an earring were found in Simms’ flat and car.
A bin liner containing Helen’s clothing and Simms’ bloodstained jumper was found on a riverbank.
Fibres and DNA evidence matched both Helen and Simms.
A blood fingerprint on Simms’ staircase sealed his guilt.
