The exhaustive, four-decade search for the body of a young Royal Navy sailor, believed to be a victim of the notorious 'Frankenstein Killer', has been officially paused. The investigation into the disappearance of Simon Parkes, who vanished from Gibraltar in December 1986, has been placed on file after recent excavation work failed to locate his remains.
A Sailor's Final Night and a Chilling Suspect
Simon Parkes, an 18-year-old radio operator from Bristol serving on HMS Illustrious, was last seen alive on 12 December 1986. He was drinking at the Horseshoe Pub on Main Street in the British overseas territory. He never returned to the aircraft carrier, which sailed for Portsmouth two days later.
The prime suspect in his suspected murder is Allan Grimson, a fellow crewman dubbed the 'Frankenstein Killer' due to his hulking 6ft 2in frame. Grimson is currently serving a life sentence for the murders of two other young men in 1997 and 1998. Detectives strongly believe he killed Parkes during the ship's stop in Gibraltar.
Decades of Digging and a Mother's Hope
Following new intelligence, specialist police teams returned to Gibraltar in 2019 and conducted further excavations in January 2024. The focus was the Town Range Car Park, near the pub, and the Trafalgar Cemetery. Similar work in August 2023 had also proved unsuccessful.
Despite the lack of results, Simon's mother, Margaret Parkes, 78, has never relinquished hope. Speaking in January, she told The Mirror: "You always hold out hope, you have to... We've gone through quite a few of these over the years and we just hope something will be found this time."
A Poignant Final Letter and an Unlikely Coincidence
Before his disappearance, Simon sent a heartfelt letter to his parents, describing the 'trip of a lifetime'. He wrote of guarding alcohol on a beach in Oman and witnessing the magical sight of thousands of baby turtles hatching and scurrying to the sea. He excitedly mentioned his first helicopter ride and being filmed for a documentary.
He ended the letter by confirming the ship's arrival in Portsmouth on 18 December, urging his family "don't be late." Tragically, when they arrived, they were told he had vanished in Gibraltar.
A chilling pattern links the cases: Simon disappeared on 12 December 1986, Grimson murdered 18-year-old Nicholas Wright on 12 December 1997, and killed 20-year-old Sion Jenkins exactly a year later on 12 December 1998. Police do not believe this date is a coincidence.
The Investigation Pauses, But the Plea Continues
Detective Superintendent Adam Edwards stated that officers had "worked tirelessly" but, following a complex investigation and CPS advice, were drawing enquiries to a close. He emphasised the case is not closed indefinitely and new information could reopen it.
The police are making a fresh appeal for anyone who was on HMS Illustrious in 1986, lived in Gibraltar, or was holidaying there on 12 December 1986 to come forward. "I know it was a long time ago," said DS Edwards, "but if there is anything you remember being strange or out of place please get in touch. Any small piece of information could really help our investigation."
Allan Grimson, convicted in 2001, has always denied involvement in Simon Parkes's disappearance. However, detectives suspect the murder of the young sailor was the start of his deadly spree.
