Helen McCourt murderer dies taking secret of her final resting place to the grave
THE evil killer of missing Helen McCourt has died - taking the secret of her last resting place to his grave.
Ex-pub landlord Ian Simms, 65, was convicted of the 1988 murder of Helen, 22, in Merseyside.
But her body was never found - prompting ministers to bring in “Helen’s Law”, making it harder for killers to get parole if they refuse to reveal where their victims are hidden.
Simms was released in February 2020 after the Parole Board ruled him fit for freedom.
He is understood to have collapsed and died suddenly over the weekend.
No official cause of death has yet been given.
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Last night a source said: “It’s highly likely the last hope of finding Helen has died with Simms.
“It tells you everything about him that he chose never to reveal where he had hidden her body, even when his health was failing.”
Insurance clerk Helen was attacked as she walked home from work in Billinge, Merseyside.
Simms was jailed for life in 1989 on DNA evidence.
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Helen’s mum Marie, now 78, has tirelessly campaigned for a change in the law for years and fought to prevent Simms’ release.
In January she admitted: “I still long, more than anything in the world, to find my daughter, bring her home and give her the funeral she deserves.
“And I would urge Simms, wherever he is, and whatever he is doing, to do the decent thing and tell me where I can find her.
“But a lasting legacy in Helen’s name, ensuring she will never, ever, be forgotten, has brought me some comfort in later years.”
The law, officially called the Prisoners (Disclosure Of Information About Victims) Act, finally gained royal assent in November 2020, but came too late to stop the release of Simms.
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Callous Simms always refused to admit his guilt or disclose what he has done with Helen's remains.
He served nearly 32 years in jail - double his 16-year recommended minimum term - after being convicted of her murder.
