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Helen McCourt murder police dig up grave Helen McCourt murder: Body of 1988 killing victim not in grave
(about 5 hours later)
Police investigating the murder of a woman whose body has never been found are digging up a grave. The remains of murder victim Helen McCourt were not in a grave that has been exhumed, police have confirmed.
Helen McCourt, 22, from Billinge, near St Helens, vanished in 1988 after calling her mother to tell her when she would be home from work in Liverpool. Merseyside Police have confirmed the occupants of the grave in Billinge "are in keeping" with cemetery records.
Officers acting on intelligence linked to her disappearance are searching at St Aidan's Church in Billinge. Officers dug up the grave in St Aidan's Church, after intelligence linked it to the 1988 murder of Miss McCourt.
The family that owns the plot has agreed to the grave being dug up, police said. A police spokeswoman said her family "have now been advised in relation to the result of the search."
The Ministry of Justice, HM Coroner for St Helens and the Bishop of Liverpool's Registry have also provided consent. Miss McCourt's remains have never been recovered despite extensive searches.
Drained ponds Pub landlord Ian Simms, a married father of two, was convicted of her murder and given a life sentence after blood and an earring identical to one owned by the 22-year-old were found in his car boot.
Det Ch Supt Tim Keelan, said: "We are acting on information suggesting that Helen's body could have been placed in this particular grave.
"We are now seeking to determine if this is the case."
Pub landlord Ian Simms, a married father of two, was convicted of murder and given a life sentence after blood and an earring identical to one owned by Miss McCourt were found in his car boot.
Simms has never revealed where her body is, but police said the tip-off had not come from him.
Old mine shafts have previously been searched along with drain ditches and drained ponds.Old mine shafts have previously been searched along with drain ditches and drained ponds.