Danielle Jones was last seen leaving her home in East Tilbury around 8 a.m. on June 18, 2001, to catch the bus to school.
Stuart Campbell, her uncle, was sentenced to life in prison in December 2002 for her kidnapping and murder. He’s never said anything about what he did with Danielle’s body.
“We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has refused Stuart Campbell’s release following a paper review,” a Parole Board spokesperson said, according to The Sun.
According to the spokesperson, the panel also declined to recommend a move to an open prison.
“Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner may pose to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community,” the spokesperson continued.
A panel will carefully examine a massive amount of evidence, including details of the original crime and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as the harm done and the impact the crime has had on the victims.
Parole hearings are conducted thoroughly and with great care. Our top priority is to keep the public safe.”
Linda Jones, Danielle’s mother, stated in 2019 that she did not want Campbell released from prison if he did not reveal the location of her daughter’s body.
She stated her support for Helen’s Law, named after murdered Helen McCourt and aimed at preventing parole for killers who refuse to reveal the location of their victim’s body.
In November, a Parole Board spokeswoman confirmed that Campbell’s case had been referred to them.
Essex Police officers dug up some garages near the home where Danielle’s killer once lived in 2017, believing her body was buried there.
However, no trace of her was found after a five-day search.
Unfortunately, we have been unable to end the pain they (Danielle’s family) have continued to experience, and we are no closer to knowing where Danielle is,” the force said at the time.