Schoolboy Mark Billington's death ruled unlawful killing 40 years after he was found in woods

Schoolboy Mark Billington's death ruled unlawful killing 40 years after he was found in woods Mark Billington's sister said the family had endured "42 years of heartache" after a coroner finally ruled the school boy was unlawfully killed - over four decades since he was found dead The death of a schoolboy who was last seen leaving home on his bike has been ruled unlawful in a fresh inquest - 40 years after his body was found in woodlands. Mark Billington, 15, disappeared after leaving his Birmingham home to fly a kite in September 1984. His body was found two months later hanging from a tree by an “intricate system” in woodland near Coventry - almost seven miles from his home in South Yardley. His death was initially recorded with an open verdict after it was treated as a possible suicide. West Midlands Police reinvestigated the case in 1998 before later treating his death as a murder. Senior Birmingham and Solihull Coroner Louise Hunt has now ruled Mark was unlawfully killed - more than 42 years after he disappeared. Speaking after the inquest, Mark’s sister Cheryl Jeyes said: “We’ve finally received some sort of justice after 42 years of heartache. Four days after celebrating his 15th birthday our beloved brother Mark was murdered. That was 42 years ago. "After four decades of fighting for answers the coroner has finally ruled that Mark was murdered. Police have previously described our brother’s death as an unsolved murder. That means Mark’s killer has escaped justice for 42 years.” The fresh inquest heard it was extremely unlikely the teenager could have tied the unusual rope system himself, while his physical limitations also raised questions over how he could have ended up hanging from the tree. Pathologist Dr Brett Lockyer told the hearing the rope had been “tied unusually” and said it was unlikely Mark would have been able to make the knots himself as the teenager had a weakness on the left side of his body. The cause of death could not be confirmed due to the level of decomposition when his body was eventually discovered. Ms Hunt said: “It’s extremely unlikely he could have harmed himself in the way he was found hanged. I’m satisfied that Mark was murdered and there is no evidence that he took his own life." The coroner said she was satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Mark had been “unlawfully killed”, adding: “I think it’s right that the record has been put straight.” Cheryl said: “Somewhere there is a person who knows exactly what happened to our kind, gentle 15-year-old brother. That person has grown older while Mark has remained 15 forever. For 42 years, Mark’s killer may have enjoyed meals with family, pulled crackers around the Christmas table, shared pints with friends and perhaps held a newborn baby. “All those precious ordinary moments that make up a human life. Yet the same person made sure Mark would never experience them. They stole our brother’s life, robbed him of his future and destroyed our childhood.” Mark had vanished on September 1, 1984, just four days after his 15th birthday. After he completed his usual paper round before returning home. He left the house around 11am and set off towards a local park on his bike. Witnesses later reported seeing him at several locations around the neighbourhood that morning. The alarm was raised later that day after Mark failed to arrive for his evening shift at the newsagent where he worked. Police launched a major missing-person investigation but Mark’s body was not found until November 11, when four men ferreting in woodland near Meriden came across him. His parents, Royston and Winifred Billington, who adopted Mark as a baby in 1971, had told investigators there were no concerns about his mental health and said disappearing was “completely out of character”. Their mum Wyn died two years ago without ever finding out who was responsible for her son’s death. Cheryl added: “Our loving mum Wyn died two years ago without ever knowing who killed her son. She went to her grave still searching for answers. Our dad is now 85, frail and has spent more than four decades living in pain of losing his son. Our mother died waiting for justice and we can’t bear the thought of our father doing the same.” West Midlands Police reopened the case in 1998 before beginning to investigate Mark’s death as a murder in 2002. Three people have previously been arrested during investigations into Mark’s death, but no-one has ever been charged. Mark’s family had fought for years to overturn the original inquest conclusion, eventually securing a fresh hearing after the High Court quashed the previous open verdict. Cheryl said: “The (original inquest) verdict remained undisturbed for decades. It was our family’s determination which ultimately led to the High Court quashing the (open) verdict and ordered a fresh inquest." She continued: "We believe we are owed an explanation. Today’s finding of unlawful killing is an important milestone but it is not the end of our fight. There are still unresolved questions about Mark’s final hours, the circumstances around his death and the handling of the original investigation. We asks you think about Mark. A shy gentle schoolboy, who had his whole life ahead of him. If anyone knows anything still please, please come forward. Our brother cant speak for himself, but we will never stop speaking for him.” Mark’s brother Philip Billington added: “We’ve been let down for 42 years. Maybe not the police of today, but the police of yesteryear. We are not happy with any of it. We are very grateful to the coroner Louise Hunt for all her help and support. We’re very happy with the outcome of today, but there are still things to pursue and go forward with.” West Midlands Police said its investigation remains open and that officers would act on any new evidence. A spokesperson said its “focus remains on justice for Mark”, adding, “as with all unsolved crimes, we remain ready to follow up any new information or lines of inquiry”.