Hampshire Police say they’ve now exhausted all reasonable lines of enquiry into the disappearance of a Royal Navy sailor who went missing nearly 40 years ago.
18-year-old Simon Parkes was last seen in December 1986 after going ashore in Gibraltar while serving as a Radio Operator on HMS Illustrious.
When the ship later returned to Portsmouth, he hadn’t come back on board, despite a major manhunt.
After consulting the Crown Prosecution Service, the case has now been filed, pending any further information coming to light.
Detective Superintendent Adam Edwards said: “Officers have worked tirelessly to investigate the disappearance of Simon Parkes, and to find answers for his devastated family.
“New and credible information was received by police in 2019 which led to investigators deploying specialist resources overseas.
“This information has been thoroughly explored and following a complex investigation which has included advice from the CPS, we are now drawing our enquiries to a close. The full circumstances surrounding Simon’s disappearance still remain unknown, however police will continue to support the ongoing Coronial process.
“As with any cold case, no case is ever closed indefinitely – if we get new information that offers new and legitimate investigative opportunities then we will take further action.
“With that in mind, we continue to urge anyone who was on HMS Illustrious who knew or knew of Simon but has not yet spoken to us, or anyone who has remembered something new since talking to us last, to get in touch as any small piece of information could really help our investigation.
“That plea also goes out to anyone who lived in Gibraltar at that time or was on holiday there on December 12, 1986. I know it was a long time ago, but if there is anything you remember being strange or out of place please get in touch.”
Anyone with information about the disappearance of Simon can call us on 101, quoting Operation Thornhill, submit information via our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/tua/tell-us-about/cor/tell-us-about-existing-case-report/, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111
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