Police Ramp Up Search for Missing Sailor Simon Parkes After 30 Years
More than three decades after Royal Navy sailor Simon Parkes vanished in Gibraltar, police are digging deeper to uncover the truth. Simon, just 18 and serving on HMS Illustrious, disappeared without a trace in December 1986 while the ship was docked in Gibraltar.
New Leads Spark Fresh Searches in Gibraltar Cemetery
After a recent trip by Hampshire Constabulary to Gibraltar, promising new leads have emerged. These point investigators back to Trafalgar Cemetery, where specialist teams from the Royal Gibraltar Police will spend the next two weeks combing the site for clues.
Detective Inspector Adam Edwards said: “We owe it to Simon and his family to follow every possible lead and deliver the answers they’ve waited 30 years for.”
Collaboration Across Borders
- The searches are a joint effort between Hampshire Constabulary, Royal Gibraltar Police, and the Royal Navy.
- Bone material found during December’s search is undergoing forensic testing, though results are still pending.
- Police have kept Simon’s parents fully updated and appreciate their continued support.
Detective Inspector John Olivera from Royal Gibraltar Police warned locals: “Expect a significant police presence at Trafalgar Cemetery over the next two weeks as we carry out the operation.”
The Quest for Closure Continues
Simon Parkes disappeared after going ashore in Gibraltar and never returning to HMS Illustrious. Despite a massive manhunt at the time, his fate has remained a mystery — until now.
Detectives hope this renewed push in Gibraltar will finally put the decades-old puzzle to rest and bring long-overdue closure for Simon’s devastated family.
