We still think about Danielle every day
Victim’s parents’ agony as they visit garages at centre of police tip-off
THE mum of murdered schoolgirl Danielle Jones wept as she visited the garages where detectives believe her daughter is buried – 16 years after police ignored a tip about the spot.
Linda and Tony Jones spoke of their torment as officers launched a fresh search for the remains of Danielle, who was 15 when she vanished in 2001.
She had left her home in East Tilbury, Essex, to catch the bus to school. Her uncle Stuart Campbell, now 59, was convicted of her abduction and murder in 2002 but her body has never been found.
Yesterday, police – acting on “credible” information – drove Linda and Tony to the garages in Thurrock.
In a statement, they said: “We think of Danielle every day and we hope that this latest search may bring us answers about what happened to her 16 years ago.”
Essex Police have launched a probe into why these garages were not searched – hundreds of others were – when they were first tipped off about them shortly after Danielle’s murder.
It was ignored despite the fact Campbell – a sleazy builder who targeted young girls – was living with his wife, Tony’s sister Debbie, and two children less than half a mile away.
The new search is understood to be focusing on the concrete base of one garage which the police dismantled yesterday.
They received a tip off in February about a man acting suspiciously at the garages in 2001. The new information was similar to that disclosed at the time of Danielle’s disappearance.
A spokesman said: “Some non-specific information was received in 2001 relating to this garage area, however, these garages were not searched during the 2001 investigation.
“We are working to ascertain why these were not searched as part of the original investigation.”
He said the police watchdog had not been informed.
One woman whose house overlooks the garages said: “It’s made me want to cry. If it is Danielle, I think her parents will be relieved.”
Assistant Chief Constable Steve Worron spoke of the new hope for the family.
He added: “I don’t think any of us can begin to understand the stress and trauma that Linda and Tony have suffered since Danielle’s disappearance and the wider family as well.”
Campbell has served 16 of a minimum 20-year term.
We hope the latest search may bring answers about what happened PARENTS