Charlene Downes - 20 years since Blackpool Girl's disappearance

Nobody has ever been found guilty of her murder

Charlene Downes mother, Karen speaks at a rally
Published 1st Nov 2023

Charlene Downes was a British teenager who went missing in Blackpool in November 2003. She was just 14 years old when she was last seen.

Charlene was last seen in Blackpool's town centre. Despite extensive efforts by law enforcement and her family, her whereabouts remain unknown, and she has not been found to this day.

Her case has been a high-profile and long-running missing person investigation in the United Kingdom. It is considered one of the most prominent unsolved missing person cases in the country.

Charlene - last seen 20 years ago

in 2008, two men were later accused of being involved in her disappearance and and put on trial for murder. During the trial, it was alleged her body had been disposed of, although her remains were never found. The trial ended without a conviction.

In a subsequent retrial one year later, the prosecution dropped the murder charges against both men, citing issues with the reliability of the evidence. As a result, both defendants were acquitted of all charges related to Charlene Downes' disappearance and alleged murder.

The case has also highlighted the challenges that authorities face in dealing with cases involving vulnerable teenagers and the need for improved support and prevention measures to protect young people from exploitation and harm.

This year, Charlene's mother along with other local campaign groups and members of the public have organised a memorial service followed by a dove release and wake, starting in the town centre at St John's Church, Church Street, Blackpool to commemorate Charlene.

The event is due to start at 13:30.

Some are also calling for a Public Inquiry to be launched looking in to her disappearance.

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