Danielle Jones’ killer makes new freedom bid despite refusing to tell where body is buried

Danielle Jones’ killer, Stuart Campbell, has made a fresh bid for freedom despite still refusing to disclose the location of her body. The Parole Board has confirmed that Campbell’s case is currently under review. Campbell, now 66, was convicted of the murder of his 15-year-old niece in 2001 and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 20 years. Despite multiple appeals from Danielle’s parents to reveal the whereabouts of her remains, Campbell has remained silent.

Danielle’s mother Linda, 64, stated before the parole hearing that she planned to directly address Campbell to express the impact of his actions on their family. Linda emphasised the importance of Campbell taking responsibility for his actions and allowing them to lay Danielle to rest, giving them closure after years of anguish. Campbell’s lack of disclosure has left the family in a state of limbo, unable to properly grieve the loss of their daughter.

Campbell’s brother, Alix Sharkey, has publicly expressed his belief that Campbell should not be released until he reveals what he did with Danielle’s body. Alix appealed to his brother to show remorse and act like a human being, acknowledging the immense pain and suffering inflicted on Danielle’s family. The case is significant as one of the first to be reviewed under Helen’s Law, which compels parole boards to consider non-disclosure of victims’ remains during hearings.

Danielle went missing in 2001 after Campbell, who was married into the Jones family, abducted her as she was heading to school. Despite a thorough search involving over 1,500 locations, Danielle’s body has never been found. Campbell’s conviction was based on evidence including DNA found on stockings at his home and falsified alibis. Linda has described the ongoing uncertainty and lack of closure as unbearable. The Parole Board reiterated that public safety is their top priority in considering Campbell’s case.

In conclusion, the tragic case of Danielle Jones serves as a somber reminder of the lasting pain and trauma caused by violent crimes. Despite years passing since her disappearance, her family continues to seek closure and justice. The refusal of Stuart Campbell to disclose the location of Danielle’s body compounds their suffering, highlighting the crucial need for laws such as Helen’s Law to address cases of non-disclosure in parole hearings.