Authorities have initiated an investigation into the case of a Royal Navy sailor who went missing and is believed to have been murdered by a notorious criminal known as the “Frankenstein Killer” almost four decades ago, as confirmed by the police.
Simon Parkes, a naval rating, disappeared in 1986 at the age of 18 while serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Despite going ashore in Gibraltar, he never returned to the ship. Hampshire police had previously looked into his disappearance in connection with Allan Grimson, a former petty officer convicted of killing two young men while serving on the same aircraft carrier as Parkes.
Parkes vanished on December 12, the same day Grimson murdered another sailor, Nicholas Wright, in 1997, and a barman, Sion Jenkins, exactly a year later. Cold case investigators have been actively pursuing leads regarding Parkes’ disappearance for nearly 40 years, focusing on Grimson as a key figure in their inquiries.
In 2019, specialized teams were dispatched to Gibraltar following new and credible information received by Hampshire Police. However, the police have now stated that the case will be archived pending any future developments. Detective Superintendent Adam Edwards mentioned that exhaustive efforts were made to uncover the truth behind Parkes’ disappearance but, with current information exhausted, the case is being wrapped up, with ongoing support for the coronial investigation process.
Grimson, dubbed the “Frankenstein Killer” due to his physical appearance, has denied any involvement in Parkes’ disappearance, despite his disturbing criminal history. Parkes’ family remains convinced of Grimson’s guilt, emphasizing their certainty regarding his responsibility for the sailor’s fate.
Margaret, Parkes’ mother, expressed her concerns about Grimson’s potential release, highlighting his dangerous nature and the inadequacy of his previous sentence for the heinous crimes he committed. The police continue to encourage anyone who may have information related to Parkes’ time on HMS Illustrious or his disappearance in Gibraltar to come forward and assist in the investigation.
Despite recent investigative activities in Gibraltar, which included revisiting previous locations of interest, and prior searches in a local cemetery, the case remains unresolved. Grimson, diagnosed with an untreatable personality disorder, had previously confessed to the murders of Nicholas and Sion, leading to his incarceration and subsequent eligibility for parole.
A psychologist’s evaluation following Grimson’s guilty plea suggested a pattern of repeated violent behavior, prompting the judge to label him as possessing serial killer tendencies. The police underscored their commitment to pursuing any new leads or information that could shed light on the unresolved disappearance of Simon Parkes.
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