WHEN the 'Lady in the Lake' body of a woman was found in Coniston Water in the Lake District, Marie McCourt hoped against hope that the remains of her murdered daughter had finally been discovered nine years after her disappearance.

But those hopes were soon dashed when dental records revealed that the body was not Helen.

Helen McCourt went missing in February, 1988 as she made her way home from work at the Royal Insurance in Liverpool.

She had boarded the bus home to Billinge and disappeared as she made the short walk from the local bus stop to her home.

Publican Ian Simms, from Billinge, was convicted of her murder in 1989.

Marie, 53, said: "I thought that Helen had finally be found, but that wasn't to be. And we've still got to carry on searching."

Marie also revealed that she will be contacting the Home Secretary Jack Straw following the summer recess to urge him to tell Simms that he will never be released until he reveal's where Helen's body is.

Marie, from Billinge, said: "He has subjected us to mental torture by not telling us where Helen is. And we won't stop fighting or searching until we've found our daughter.

"I will be urging the Home Secretary to tell Simms that he won't be released from prison until he reveals where Helen is. Hopefully if Simms is told that he won't be released until the body is found, he will eventually tell us."

MARIE McCourt is an active member of the SAMM (Support after Murder and Manslaughter) support group. And she urges anyone who needs support and comfort after the murder or manslaughter of a relative or friend to contact the group on the Freephone number 0151 263 6767.

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