The brother of murderer Stuart Campbell has urged him to “stop being a monster” and reveal what he did with Danielle Jones’s body.
Alix Sharkey spoke out as the Parole Board confirmed it is assessing the case of 64-year-old Campbell, who is nearing the end of his minimum sentence.
The builder, who could be free within months, has never confessed to killing his 15-year-old niece in 2001.
The “no body” case is one of the first to go before the Parole Board since the passing of the Mirror-backed Helen’s Law, making it a legal requirement for panels to consider “non-disclosure”.
Mr Sharkey, 64, who wrote a book entitled My Brother the Killer, said: “I do not believe my brother should be released until he discloses what he did with Danielle Jones’ body. Her parents have been through a living hell. They have never had closure. My brother hasn’t even given them their daughter so they have a place to grieve.”
Alix urged his brother: “Stop being a monster, why don’t you act like a human being? Even murderers can say ‘I’m sorry’.”
Last year, Danielle’s parents Linda and Tony appealed to Campbell to reveal where he hid her body. Linda said she hoped he would “allow us to lay our darling daughter to rest”.
Danielle left home in Tilbury, Essex just on June 18, 2001, to catch a bus to school. Her parents never saw her again. Campbell lured her into his blue transit van and abducted her.
Campbell, who had married into the Jones family, had an unhealthy fascination with teenage girls and had groomed Danielle for months. He also hid a violent criminal past. At 18, he was jailed four years for robbing a teenage girl.
Campbell also had a 1989 conviction for holding a 14-year-old girl at his home.
Danielle’s disappearance led to a search of more than 1,500 locations.
Campbell was arrested within weeks and found guilty at trial after a pair of white stockings with Danielle’s DNA on them were discovered at his home.
He was also found to have faked texts from Danielle’ and lied about where he was at the time of the murder.
In 2017 Essex Police dug up some garages near Campbell’s former home, without success. Linda, 62, said at the time: “It is like she is just discarded.”
The Parole Board confirmed Campbell’s review was “following standard processes” and added: “Public safety is our number one priority.”
Marie McCourt, 77, whose daughter Helen was killed in 1988, successfully campaigned for the new legislation with the Mirror’s support.
She said: “Since Helen’s Law was passed we have had three cases where parole applications have been refused so we know it’s helping other families.
“I will be speaking to Linda and Tony to hopefully reassure them. Let’s hope these killers are never let out.”
