The mother behind Helen's Law has stated that the murderer of Danielle Jones should not be eligible for release unless he reveals where her body is. Danielle Jones disappeared in East Tilbury, Essex, on 18 June 2001. The 15-year-old's murderer, her uncle Stuart Campbell, has had his case referred to the Parole Board.
Marie McCourt, whose daughter Helen was murdered in 1988, said Campbell should not be released unless he revealed the whereabouts of Danielle's remains. Campbell, a builder and father-of-two, was told he would serve at least 20 years in prison for murder. He has never disclosed the location of Danielle's body.
In 2017, Essex Police dug up garages near where Campbell once lived, believing her body may have been buried there. Mrs McCourt and her family campaigned for a law barring killers from release unless they reveal victims' remains. The Prisoners (Disclosure of Information About Victims) Bill, known as Helen's Law, was passed in 2020.
Speaking from her home in St Helens, Mrs McCourt said: 'I hope that in Danielle's case, Campbell will not come out unless he provides that information.' She added that the recovery of remains is essential for families, and questioned why victims' families are 'tortured' while killers are 'looked after'.
A Parole Board spokeswoman confirmed Campbell's case has been referred, stating that decisions focus on public risk. 'A panel will carefully examine evidence, including the original crime and any behaviour change,' she said. No date has been set for a hearing, but it is expected next year.
