Overview
- Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has drawn enquiries to a close and formally filed the case after consulting the Crown Prosecution Service.
- Simon Parkes, an 18-year-old radio operator from Bristol, disappeared after going ashore in Gibraltar in December 1986 and never returned to HMS Illustrious.
- A major reinvestigation launched in 2019 deployed specialist teams and forensic officers to work with the Royal Gibraltar Police.
- Recent efforts included targeted searches at Gibraltar’s Town Range car park in August 2023 and January 2024, along with digs at cemetery sites.
- Police will continue supporting the coroner and are appealing to HMS Illustrious crew and anyone in Gibraltar on December 12, 1986 to come forward; former shipmate Allan Grimson has been investigated but denies involvement and has not been charged.