Lanterns will light up the sky to mark 25th anniversary since Helen disappeared (From St Helens Star)

Lanterns will light up the sky to mark 25th anniversary since Helen McCourt disappeared

7:00am Friday 22nd February 2013 in News

THE skies above a village will be lit up on Friday night as a community remembers a murder victim who disappeared 25 years ago.

Helen McCourt’s life will be celebrated in a memorial service in Birchley St Mary’s church, Billinge, tonight (Feb 22).

Her mother Marie will lead loved ones in releasing lanterns into the night skies. She wants it to act as a sign of remembrance and a symbol that the quest to find Helen’s remains will not be forgotten.

The service will be followed by a gathering of loved ones and close friends, including police officers who worked on the murder case in the eighties, in the neighbouring social club.

Marie, 69, said: “It will be a little service to remember all the lovely memories of Helen’s life.

“However, it is so sad to say it is the 25th anniversary because she only lived for 22 years and I still find it difficult to get my head around why her killer won’t let us bury her body.

“Helen was denied the chance to fall in love, to get married, to have children.”

In an interview with the St Helens Star last week, Marie reaffirmed her hope that she will one day be able to give her daughter a Christian burial.

Murderer Ian Simms, refuses to reveal where Helen’s remains are hidden.