Riddle over woman murdered after getting off a bus when she discovered pub owner’s affair & her body’s never been found
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A 22-YEAR-old woman was killed just yards from her home after she discovered a pub owner's illicit affair. But the riddle continues 36 years on because Helen McCourt's body was never discovered. Ian Simms, the 31-year-old landlord of the George and Dragon pub in Billinge, Merseyside, was jailed for life in 1989.
![[Helen McCourt's (pictured) body was never discovered]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2019-marie-mccourt-said-shock-542042535.jpg?strip=all&w=716)
Her case led to a landmark conviction based on DNA evidence, despite her body never being found. Despite overwhelming proof including Helen's blood, hair, and an earring found in Simms' flat and car, he never confessed or disclosed what he did with her body.
![[Murderer Ian Simms was jailed for 20 years over Helen's death]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/bill-gained-royal-assent-last-627079013.jpg?strip=all&w=577)
Just two days before she went missing Helen got into a heated argument with a woman in Simms' pub. The then 31-year-old landlord Simms was married at the time with two young children. It was said he had repeatedly made sexual advances towards Helen, and had moved in his 21-year-old lover.
![[Helen's mum Marie has spent decades campaigning to stop murderers from leaving jail without disclosing the location of victims' bodies]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/2019-marie-mccourt-mother-helen-541745661.jpg?strip=all&w=653)
It was thought he suspected Helen of gossiping about his secret affair. After the row, Simms banned Helen from the pub, swore at her and told others how much he hated her. On February 9, 1988, Helen called her mum before leaving work to ask her to make an early dinner.
![[Simms, who has never revealed the location of the body of his murder victim 'met the test for release']](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/pictured-first-time-30-years-606291450.jpg?strip=all&w=933)
Helen was last seen stepping off a bus near her home at 5.15pm. The short walk home would take her past the pub. A man leaving another bus told how he heard a loud, abruptly stopped scream coming from the pub. Helen was never seen again. A bin liner containing Helen's clothing was later found on a riverbank, along with Simms' bloodstained jumper.
![[An artwork painted by killer Simms]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/keeps-artwork-garage-understandably-cant-479103184.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
