Unsolved murder of Charlene Downes who vanished into thin air 20 years ago

10 November 2023 , 10:13

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Charlene Downes went missing 20 years ago (Image: Lancashire Police / SWNS)

The parents of a teenage girl who vanished into thin air 20 years ago are still looking for answers after living a "nightmare" for two decades as they were told she had been murdered, but her body has never been found.

Schoolgirl Charlene Downes, 14, went missing in Blackpool on November 1, 2003. Two years later, police told her parents Bob and Karen that they believed the teenager had been murdered within hours of her last sighting.

A huge investigation was launched and more than 3,000 people were interviewed. Over the years police tied the case to a child sex ring in the town that they suspected had been grooming Charlene with two men charged and tried.

Charlene's parents Karen and Bob Downes (Peter Powell)

Charlene disappeared in Blackpool

Disturbing claims emerged during the 2007 trial that Charlene was murdered and dismembered before her body was used in takeaway kebabs and her bones crushed into tile grout. However, the jury was unable to reach a verdict in the case and nobody was convicted.

During the search for the girl, police were also alerted about a huge number of other girls, some as young as 11, who had been allegedly targeted by male sex offenders in Blackpool. Officers said that before going missing, Charlene was sexually abused by one or more men in an alleyway lined with takeaway shops popular with teenagers.

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A 28-year-old man was cleared of her murder in 2008 after "grave doubts" were raised about evidence during his second trial. The jury in his first trial had failed to reach a verdict. In 2017, a 51-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder but later released.

Charlene's mum, 58, recently renewed her appeal for information about what happened to the girl. She said: "Somebody knows something somewhere and we ask them to come forward and please, end our nightmare.

Footage issued by Lancashire Police of the day Charlene went missing (PA)

"Hope is all we can do and we just hope that one day something will happen and we can get some justice or some closure for Charlene." Her 62-year-old husband added: "We just want someone to come forward. Be brave and don't be scared."

Earlier this year, the police said a cold case team from Leeds Trinity University started taking a fresh look at the suspected murder. The investigation is one of the largest and longest-running in the history of Lancashire Police. Det Chief Supt Pauline Stables said: "We have never given up on our quest to find out what happened to Charlene, and I know there are people out there who will have information which would help us.

"It's 20 years since Charlene disappeared and people are older now and their loyalties, priorities and acquaintances may have changed and that allows them to think differently than you might have done previously. In the past people might not have wanted or felt able to come forward with what they know and speak to police but now they may feel they can and I would urge them to do so.

Rebecca Downes holding a picture of her sister Charlene (John Gladwin)

"Even if you think the information you have is insignificant, please share it with us and let us be the judge. It may be a piece of the jigsaw that we are missing. By coming forward and telling us what you know can only help us. You may hold information that is crucial to finding out what happened to Charlene."

Dr Kirsty Bennett, a lecturer at the university specialising in cold cases, will work with Ronay Crompton, from the Justice for Charlene Downes campaign, as they say the teen was "let down" by the system designed to protect her. Ronay said about the collaboration: "Our main aim is to review Charlene’s case and see where the failings are and go out to get new evidence.

"Blackburn Uni also approached us to undertake large child sexual exploitation (CSE) project for whole of Lancashire to find out the scale of the problem, and where children are being failed. Charlene was failed by everyone that should have kept her safe. The police, social services, they all let her down. We're trying to build a legacy and fight for real justice for her, so she can be remembered for something positive."

A £100,000 reward is still on offer from the police for information leading to the conviction of Charlene's killer. A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "The case remains open and we would appeal for anyone with information to contact us."

Chiara Fiorillo