A recent development in the case of a missing Royal Navy sailor, believed to have fallen victim to a notorious killer dubbed the “Frankenstein Killer,” has seen authorities launch a fresh investigation after almost four decades. Simon Parkes, a naval rating who disappeared in 1986 at the age of 18 while stationed on the HMS Illustrious, went ashore in Gibraltar but never returned to the ship. Hampshire police had previously linked his disappearance to Allan Grimson, a former petty officer serving on the same aircraft carrier and subsequently convicted for the murder of two individuals.
Simon vanished on December 12, the same day Grimson committed a murder in 1997. Despite extensive efforts by cold case detectives, including a deployment to Gibraltar in 2019 following new leads, Hampshire Police have now placed the case on hold pending further information. Detective Superintendent Adam Edwards acknowledged the exhaustive nature of the investigation and emphasized ongoing support for the coronial process to uncover the truth behind Simon’s disappearance.
Grimson, known as the Frankenstein Killer due to his physical appearance, has consistently denied involvement in Simon’s case, although the victim’s family strongly believes otherwise. Simon’s mother, Margaret, expressed concerns over Grimson’s potential release, labeling him a dangerous individual with a history of violence. Authorities continue to appeal for anyone with relevant information, particularly those who may have interacted with Simon on HMS Illustrious or in Gibraltar in 1986, to come forward and assist in the investigation.
In light of recent leads, authorities revisited the Town Range car park in Gibraltar in January 2024, following previous searches conducted in August 2023. Grimson, diagnosed with an untreatable personality disorder, confessed to the murders of two young men in 2001, leading to his imprisonment and subsequent eligibility for parole consideration. A psychologist’s assessment at the time suggested that Grimson may have committed previous undisclosed crimes, prompting the judge to describe him as having a propensity for serial violence.
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