008: Helen McCourt Right to Remain Silent

In February, 1988, 22 year old Helen McCourt from Billinge, Merseyside went missing on her way home from work and was never seen again. It was quickly discovered that local landlord, Ian Simms was the culprit but the police force had the difficult task of proving that Helen was dead AND that Ian Simms had killed her. Using the new technique at the time of familial DNA, they were able to gather enough evidence to convict Simms. Helen's mother, Marie McCourt still fights for the rights of missing-murdered victims families to be able to have a funeral with the nationally known, Helen's Law.

Thank you to Rebecca on our Facebook group for the recommendation!

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Sources:

Documentaries - A Town and Country Murder, S2 E5 & When Missing Turns to Murder, S1 E1

Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder_of_Helen_McCourt

Murderpedia - https://murderpedia.org/male.S/s/simms-ian.htm

BBC News - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-51390548

Wigan Today - https://www.wigantoday.net/news/crime/helen-mccourt-killer-ian-simms-given-order-preventing-him-visiting-spots-where-he-may-have-hidden-her-body-1556565

Liverpool Echo - https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/killer-released-prison-now-victims-18888653

Sky News - https://news.sky.com/story/helen-mccourt-murder-mother-of-murdered-woman-fails-in-bid-to-send-killer-back-to-prison-12060979

St Helens Reporter - https://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/news/crime/new-tv-documentary-features-helen-mccourt-murder-97629

https://www.sthelensreporter.co.uk/news/murder-helen-mccourt-how-terrible-events-unfolded-798696

Gov.UK - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/helen-s-law-receives-royal-assent

Change - https://www.change.org/p/rt-hon-theresa-may-mp-introduce-helen-s-law

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Thanks to:
Matt Pearson for the intro music
Michael Perkins for the artwork