Back in the eighties, it was rare for a killer to be convicted without a body. These days, it’s commonplace. The thought of fifty-four more families joining me in this ordeal, over just the last ten years, is heartbreaking. And, without further changes in legislation I can guarantee there will be more.
And it is for this reason that l will continue to fight for justice – both for the missing victims and their eternally-grieving families – until my dying breath.
I feel honoured and humbled that my campaign for Helen’s Law is now having an impact in other countries. A campaign for similar legislation, called Suzanne’s Law, was launched in Scotland by the families of missing murder victims Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser. As a result the Scottish Government is amending Parole Board (Scotland) rules, ensuring that ‘failure to disclose a victim’s body’ will be taken into account when determining release. The amendments will be introduced by late 2021/early 2022.
A similar campaign is also underway in Northern Ireland, spearheaded by the families of missing murder victims Charlotte Murray and Lisa Dorrian. (Tragically, in Lisa’s case, there hasn’t even been a conviction – but her family want to ensure that, once caught, her killer will reveal her location). We’ve had lots of encouraging chats and were thrilled when a motion to ‘introduce legislation equivalent to Helen’s Law’ was passed by Members of the Legislative Assembly at Stormont in September.
As a result, the Justice Minister Naomi Long is now consulting with the campaigning families, plus other organisations, including the Parole Commissioners for Northern Ireland, the Probation Board and the Prison Service.
Parole rules are also being amended to ensure families have more access to information surrounding decisions and are able to challenge those decisions if they believe they are unreasonable, unfair or unlawful. And Paul Givan, Democratic Unionist Party MLA and chair of the Justice Committee, said he would like to see further changes including longer sentences for non-disclosure.
I felt beyond proud for Helen when Joanne Dorrian, sister of Lisa, told me: ‘All the work you have done has really paved the way for other countries to follow. People here are constantly referring to Helen’s Law. Her life and death have really made a difference, Marie. You’re changing the world!’
Astonishingly, Joanne has now been approached a family in the Republic of Ireland keen to campaign for a change in legislation there too. We are now in contact with the family of mum of one, Fiona Sinnott, nineteen, who went missing, believed to have been murdered, in County Wexford in 1998, and I’ll help them all I can. Ironically, Fiona went missing on 9 February – ten years to the day that Helen was murdered. My heart goes out to them.
Even further afield, we have reached across the Atlantic to support Canadian MP Dane Lloyd, in Alberta, who is pushing for similar legislation in the form of McCanns Law (after elderly husband and wife Lyle and Marie McCann who were killed in 2010).
I will do whatever I can to help them – and any others fighting for legal changes. Now that we’ve got the ball rolling, we need to keep it moving. I would love to see a version of Helen’s Law on every statute book in the world.
Every Tuesday, I still light a candle and say my novena to St Martha. I always will. My faith has been sorely tested, but remains strong.
I hope my story triggers reaction and response – particularly among those who are just starting out in their careers as lawyers, police officers, journalists, probation officers. Please remember, victims and their families would never, ever choose to be in this situation. Believe me, this is definitely not the path I would have carved for myself, but once Helen had been taken from us, I had no choice: this is something I had to do.
I am proud that I have taken it – and I hope Helen would be proud of me too.
She really was a dream daughter (I so wish you’d got to meet her, you’d have loved her) and I like to think that, together, we have made a difference by illuminating a murky, dark area of cruelty and injustice and establishing a springboard for change.
So many people I have met on this journey had no idea that such horrors were possible, that killers really could be released while continuing to twist the knife so cruelly – plunging families of the victims into a continual, worsening hell. Together, however, we can insist on change.
It can be done. The louder the shout, the more chance we have of being heard. And I truly believe that good will always, always prevail.
I am seventy-eight on my next birthday (July 2021) – the same age Winnie Johnson was when she slipped, heartbroken, from this life. Winnie’s dream, like mine, was to be reunited with her child in this world as well as the next. Sadly, it didn’t happen for her. And, lately, I have started to accept that it may well not happen for me, either. Slowly, I am coming to terms with that.
I live in hope that Helen will be found – even if, sadly, I am not here to see it.
If that’s the case, please can I ask that my daughter is brought home with love and dignity. Give her a requiem mass. Sprinkle her coffin with holy water and, perhaps yellow rose petals, then lay her to rest beside me, in our family plot in St Mary’s churchyard, where she belongs.
Mediums have told me over the years that Helen was there, waiting, with outstretched arms when my mum died.
I pray she’ll be there for me, too, when my time comes.
My breath will catch in my throat as I catch that first glimpse of my long-lost daughter and run towards her, calling out her name:
Helen! It’s me.
Clasping her tightly to me, letting the tears run down my face, I will ask her, ‘Where have you been? I’ve been looking everywhere for you.’
I’ll stand back, then, to take in her pretty face, her sparkling eyes and sweet smile. I’ll tell her how much I love her. How much I’ve missed her and how hard I tried to find her and bring her home. ‘But it’s OK, now, love,’ I’ll say. ‘Mum’s here, now.’
I’ve found you at last!
I’ll gather her to me once more.
And, this time, I will never, ever, let her go.
Acknowledgements
I
could fill an entire book thanking each and every lovely person who has helped me since the loss of my daughter. I apologise in advance if I have missed anyone. Please know that you have made a difference and will always be here, in my heart.
With love and heartfelt thanks to:
My wonderful children Helen and Michael. Helen – you were a dream daughter and I was blessed to have you in my life for twenty-two years. I only wish we could have had longer . . .
Michael – you are the best son a parent could ask for. You have made me so proud over the years. You, your wife and my special grandchildren have made life worth living. I love you all very, very much.
John – my soulmate, my rock, my strength, my husband. Words will never be enough to say just how much you mean to me.
My lovely Mum and wonderful family – particularly my sisters and brothers for picking me up and carrying me through those awful early years. You are my best friends as well as my siblings.
All the officers at Merseyside Police, Greater Manchester Police and Cheshire Police, and forensic scientists, for their brilliant detective work in catching Helen’s killer and securing a conviction – and for continuing to support me over the years. Particular thanks to Paul Acres, Eddie Alldred, Kevin Conroy, Mike McDermott and John Ross. I feel honoured to count you as friends.
All the family and victim liaison officers who have supported us over the years – particularly our current victim liaison officer.
The members of the jury and every witness who had the courage to come forward. You will never know the difference you made.
Every single journalist, producer and photographer who has helped keep Helen’s story alive for more than three decades – in particular, Louie Smith and the Daily Mirror, Carole Richardson at Yours magazine and the Press Association.
Helen’s friends and colleagues who have kept in touch over t
he years and assured me she will never be forgotten.
Everyone involved with SAMM Merseyside; this charity has saved me on countless occasions and I am so proud to have been a part of it for all these years; with particular thanks to our patrons Lady Kirsty Pilkington and the late Sir Ken Dodd and Lady Anne Dodd.
All those families affected by homicide or the disappearance of a loved one. This is a group that no one wants to join. But I feel humbled to have met such wonderful people – including Ann West, Winnie Johnson, Joan Lawrence (mum of Claudia), Pat Green, John Suffield and Margaret Dodd in Australia.
All families of the missing murdered who have fought so valiantly alongside me. There aren’t enough pages to name you all individually but you know who you are. This fight has been for every single one of you – past, present and, sadly, future. Hopefully, together, we can continue to make a difference and prevent more from joining us.
My many dear friends, including Kath Moodie and Helen Hill for their unwavering support and love over the years and all the members of my Pilates class who have kept me going through rain and shine.
Our brilliant academics including Professor Liz Yardley, Dr Keri Nixon, Dr Graham McBain and Dr Imogen Jones, for their tireless support and research.
All the politicians and lawmakers who have helped in my quest for Helen’s Law; including Conor McGinn (St Helens North) and his predecessors Dave Watts and John Evans), Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock), Dr Kieran Mullan (Crewe and Nantwich), Lord Tim Clement-Jones, Baroness Liz Barker and Justice Ministers David Gauke and Robert Buckland. The Bill had cross party support and I am so grateful to each and every member who voted in favour.
The teams at change.org and GoFundMe; each and every one of the 750,000 people who signed my petition on change.org and all those who contributed so generously to my fundraising campaign on GoFundMe – providing me with the opportunity to challenge the Parole Board’s decision.
All those who have supported me on social media – your love and encouragement have lifted me on dark days and kept me going.
James Thacker, Tom Rainsbury and Tom Little at 9 Gough Chambers and Craig Hunn at Thomson’s Solicitors; thank you for stepping forward when I needed you most – and representing me so diligently on a pro bono basis. Plus Robin Makin for his legal support in the 1990s. I am so, so grateful.
Pope John Paul II, Aunt Bibby, my late local priest Father Ashton, and every member of the clergy. You have restored and strengthened my faith.
Peter Simkins, Peter Faulding, Brian Houlton, Professor John Hunter and every single person who has given up their valuable time, over the years, to assist in the physical search for my daughter’s remains.
Joe McDonough, Helen Hill (again!), Mackenzie France, Michelle Francis and all those who have patiently helped me to master technology and social media accounts.
Judge Rob Rinder and all the TV documentary makers who have highlighted Helen’s murder over the years.
Students who have helped raise the profile of my campaign; particular thanks to Charlie Bell, James Saville and the late Adam Painter, who created a brilliant documentary on Helen’s Law, and Jessica Perrin who (encouraged by her senior policing lecturer Brian McNeill – a former DCS at Merseyside police who was very involved in Helen’s case) wrote her Master’s thesis on No Body Homicide and is now assisting with further research.
To Adam Houghton at Loft Print in Wigan for so kindly offering to support our campaign with eye-catching Helen’s Law T-shirts and tote bags.
My agent Robert Smith and editors Ciara Lloyd and Justine Taylor, at Bonnier, for their faith, patience and encouragement in bringing this book to life.
Fiona Duffy – who has co-written this book with me. She first came into my life, as a journalist, more than twenty years ago. Over time we have become very close friends. She has always been there to help and support me and without her investigative work I would not be where I am today. She has worked tirelessly and encouraged me along the way. Fiona, you will always be an important part of my life. Thank you!
And finally, thank you for reading my story and ensuring my daughter will never be forgotten.
God Bless you all.
Marie
x
Contact Marie McCourt
Thank you for reading my story.
If you have any information regarding the location of my daughter’s remains, would like to contact me after reading my book, or would like to assist in my future work in securing justice for missing murder victims and their families please email me at: [email protected]
You can also reach me via social media:
Facebook: Helen’s Law
Twitter: @helens_law_
Instagram: helens_law_campaign
Support and useful organisations
Find Our Lost Loved Ones (FOLLO): follo.org.uk
This is a website Fiona and I have founded, to unite families of missing homicide victims. It is still in the early stages but we hope to develop it further. If you would like to be involved, please contact us at [email protected]
Support After Murder and Manslaughter (SAMM), Merseyside. Despite the geographical location, the organisation offers nationwide support.
https://samm-merseyside.org.uk/contact-us/
24-hour helpline: 0151 207 6767
Victim Support National Homicide Service
www.victimsupport.org.uk
0300 303 1984
Supportline: 08 08 16 89 111
Roadpeace
www.roadpeace.org
Helpline 0845 4500 355
Murdered Abroad
http://www.murdered-abroad.org.uk/
Helpline 0845 123 23 84
NOVENA TO ST MARTHA
Many people have asked me about the Tuesday novena that I have said every week since losing Helen. This prayer, said while kneeling in front of a lit candle, has brought me immeasurable comfort and kept my faith strong over three decades. There are different versions but this is the one I always say.
O St Martha, I resort to thy protection
And, as proof of my affection and faith, I offer thee
the light which I will burn every Tuesday.
Comfort me in my difficulties and, through the
great favour thou didst enjoy when our
Saviour lodged in thy house, intercede for my family
that we may be provided for in all our wants.
I beseech thee to have pity on me with regards to
the favour I ask of thee (State your request . . . )
Say one Our Father, three Hail Marys and light a candle each Tuesday for nine in succession.
Justice for Helen Page 35
