Inquiry Scheduled for 1986 Disappearance of Royal Navy Sailor

An official inquiry is scheduled concerning the 1986 disappearance and presumed demise of a young Royal Navy sailor in Gibraltar. Simon Parkes, aged 18, was last observed on December 12th, having disembarked from HMS Illustrious to spend an evening at various bars with fellow crew members. The Gibraltar government has granted permission for the Gibraltar coroner to preside over the case on a date yet to be determined. Margaret Parkes, 78, the sailor’s mother, residing in Kingswood, Bristol, expressed that the announcement of the inquest provided her with a degree of closure. Despite multiple searches conducted in Gibraltar by Hampshire police, no evidence of Mr Parkes has ever been discovered. In January, the most recent efforts involved the examination of an underground water tank and a cemetery. Investigators had previously looked into the potential connection of serial killer Allan Grimson, who was serving aboard HMS Illustrious concurrently with Mr Parkes. Grimson received a life sentence in 2001 for the distinct murders of two young men: Nicholas Wright, an 18-year-old naval rating from Leicestershire, and Sion Jenkins, a 20-year-old former Royal Navy sailor from Newbury in Berkshire. He has consistently denied any involvement in the disappearance of Mr Parkes. Mrs Parkes stated that an earlier application to conduct an inquest in Gibraltar had been denied in 2006. She commented: “I think there is some new evidence, but I’m not allowed to talk about it.” “It’s been a long time and it’s what we always wanted.” “We haven’t had a death certificate and this news has brought some closure.” Nigel Feetham KC, Gibraltar’s Minister for Justice, declared: “I confirm I have given my consent as Minister for Justice for the inquest to be held.” “It is the right decision to finally provide the family with answers, if not closure, after 37 years.”