A coroner has ruled that schoolboy Mark Billington was unlawfully killed, more than 42 years after he disappeared from his Birmingham home. The fresh inquest overturned an earlier open verdict, concluding that the 15-year-old was murdered.
Mark was last seen leaving his home in South Yardley on his bike in September 1984. His body was found two months later hanging from a tree by an “intricate system” in woodland near Coventry, almost seven miles from his home. The initial inquest recorded an open verdict after the death was treated as a possible suicide.
Coroner's findings
Senior Birmingham and Solihull Coroner Louise Hunt ruled that Mark was unlawfully killed. She said: “It’s extremely unlikely he could have harmed himself in the way he was found hanged. I’m satisfied that Mark was murdered and there is no evidence that he took his own life.” She added that she was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Mark had been “unlawfully killed”, stating: “I think it’s right that the record has been put straight.”
The inquest heard that it was extremely unlikely the teenager could have tied the unusual rope system himself. Pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer told the hearing that the rope had been “tied unusually” and that Mark, who had a weakness on the left side of his body, would probably have been unable to make the knots. The cause of death could not be confirmed due to the level of decomposition when his body was found.
Family's reaction
Speaking after the inquest, Mark’s sister Cheryl Jeyes said: “We’ve finally received some sort of justice after 42 years of heartache. Four days after celebrating his 15th birthday our beloved brother Mark was murdered. That was 42 years ago.” She added: “After four decades of fighting for answers the coroner has finally ruled that Mark was murdered. Police have previously described our brother’s death as an unsolved murder. That means Mark’s killer has escaped justice for 42 years.”
Cheryl also spoke of the impact on her family, noting that their mother Wyn died two years ago without knowing who killed her son. She said: “Our loving mum Wyn died two years ago without ever knowing who killed her son. She went to her grave still searching for answers. Our dad is now 85, frail and has spent more than four decades living in pain of losing his son. Our mother died waiting for justice and we can’t bear the thought of our father doing the same.”
Investigation history
Mark vanished on September 1, 1984, just four days after his 15th birthday. After completing his usual paper round, he left the house around 11am and set off towards a local park on his bike. Witnesses reported seeing him at several locations around the neighbourhood that morning. The alarm was raised later that day after Mark failed to arrive for his evening shift at the newsagent where he worked. His body was found on November 11 by four men ferreting in woodland near Meriden.
West Midlands Police reopened the case in 1998 and began investigating Mark’s death as a murder in 2002. Three people have previously been arrested during investigations, but no one has ever been charged. The family fought for years to overturn the original inquest conclusion, eventually securing a fresh hearing after the High Court quashed the previous open verdict.
Cheryl said: “The (original inquest) verdict remained undisturbed for decades. It was our family’s determination which ultimately led to the High Court quashing the (open) verdict and ordered a fresh inquest.” She continued: “We believe we are owed an explanation. Today’s finding of unlawful killing is an important milestone but it is not the end of our fight. There are still unresolved questions about Mark’s final hours, the circumstances around his death and the handling of the original investigation. We ask you think about Mark. A shy gentle schoolboy, who had his whole life ahead of him. If anyone knows anything still please, please come forward. Our brother can’t speak for himself, but we will never stop speaking for him.”
Mark’s brother Philip Billington added: “We’ve been let down for 42 years. Maybe not the police of today, but the police of yesteryear. We are not happy with any of it. We are very grateful to the coroner Louise Hunt for all her help and support. We’re very happy with the outcome of today, but there are still things to pursue and go forward with.”
West Midlands Police said its investigation remains open and that officers would act on any new evidence. A spokesperson said its “focus remains on justice for Mark”, adding, “as with all unsolved crimes, we remain ready to follow up any new information or lines of inquiry”.
