PICTURED: Marie McCourt with a treasured photo of murdered daughter Helen.

FAMILY and friends of murder victim Helen McCourt attended an emotional 10th Anniversary Memorial Service for the 22-year-old Billinge insurance worker on Monday night.

The service marked a turning point in the beliefs of Helen's mum, Marie, who is now beginning to accept that her daughter's body will probably never be recovered.

Helen disappeared on a stormy February night in 1988. She was last seen getting off a bus in Main Street, Billinge. Her body has never been found. But local publican Ian Simms was convicted of Helen's murder on forensic evidence.

For years Marie has led the tireless search for Helen's body, but the mental anguish and the pain of the fruitless attempts is beginning to take its toll on the devoted mum, and the weekly weekend searches have now been replaced with less frequent attempts to find Helen's remains.

Marie from Billinge, admits: "I'm now beginning to accept that Helen's body may not be found in my lifetime and that is one of the reasons I decided to have the memorial service at Birchley St Marys.

"Since Helen's death 10 years ago I have pleaded with Simms to tell us where her body is so that we can give her a decent Christian burial.

"But he has stubbornly refused and I decided that if I am to be denied the right of giving my daughter a proper burial then the least I can do is hold a memorial service for her.

"The attendance at the church on Monday night, 10 years since Helen's death, was proof of her popularity and I hope that Simms realises what he has put her family and friends through.

"Since Helen's disappearance on that night 10 years ago my family has been put through a living hell, words can't describe the rollercoaster of emotions that we have gone through.

"I hope that one day Simms will develop a conscience and allow Helen some dignity in death by letting her have a proper burial."

Marie, who gave an emotional reading at the ceremony, added: "I was determined that Monday would not be a sad occasion I wanted it to be a celebration of Helen's life and a tribute to her.

"I would like to thank Father Bernard and everyone who helped to make the service so special. Thanks also goes to the many people who attended the service to pay tribute to Helen."

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