"I'D rather be the mother of a murdered child than the mother of a murderous killer."
Those are the words of Marie McCourt ahead of a programme airing next Monday which covers the story of her murdered daughter Helen McCourt, whose body has still not been found 31 years later.
When Missing Turns To Murder will air at 9pm on Monday, March 4 and promises to shine a spotlight on the death of Helen, 22, from Billinge, who disappeared on February 9, 1988.
George and Dragon pub landlord Ian Simms was jailed for the crime in 1989 but has never admitted what he did or where Helen’s body is.
Ian Simms
Her mum Marie, 74, has been campaigning for a new law, which would mean convicted murderers who refuse to reveal the whereabouts of their victims’ bodies would remain behind bars.
It would be called Helen’s Law in her daughter’s memory.
The programme delves into the forensic evidence which was crucial to sentencing Simms and led to Helen's case being the third in the UK where the accused was found guilty of murder despite no body being found.
The show visits the potential scene of Helen's murder, the George and Dragon pub, and her route home, while interviewing people dealing with the case at the time.
Helen's mum, Marie, said: "I'd rather be the mother of a murdered child than the mother of a murderous killer.
"I know I recently took part in the Judge Rinder programme, but when I was approached for this as well. Even though it hurts talking about it every time, I decided to take part in the hope that someone somewhere with new information may come forward.
"I know my daughter is dead, but I would give anything just to give her a proper burial, and Simms will not let that happen.
Retired DCI Tom Purcell on the programme
"I will do anything to let people know what kind of person he is and keep him behind bars, because Helen's Law, if it is passed, will mean people who don't reveal the whereabouts of their victim's bodies will not be given a chance of parole.
"This programme is different as it covers all the forensic and DNA testing that was done, and explains why Simms was jailed despite Helen not being found.
"I've seen it and it was hard to watch, but if just one person comes forward with information, even after all this time, it is worth it."
When Missing Turns to Murder will air on Monday, March 4 on Crime+Investigation available to watch on channels Sky 156, Virgin 275, BT 328 and TalkTalk 328.
Marie has never given up hope of finding Helen
To sign the petition for Helen's Law, click here.
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