A coroner has ruled that 15-year-old Mark Billington was unlawfully killed, 42 years after police initially dismissed his death as suicide and discarded crucial evidence. The ruling comes after a new inquest, granted by the High Court last year, finally overturned the original open verdict recorded in 1985.

Mark disappeared from his Birmingham home in September 1984, telling his family he was going out to fly his kite. His body was discovered nine weeks later, hanging from a tree in a secluded area six miles from his home. Detectives quickly concluded he had taken his own life, a finding that the family always disputed.

Investigation Failings and Family Campaign

In 2002, West Midlands Police reopened the case as a murder investigation. However, the rope used in the hanging and some of Mark's clothing had been discarded by this point, significantly hindering any potential DNA analysis. Mark's family, led by his sister Cheryl Jeyes, campaigned for decades to quash the original inquest verdict and secure a new one.

At the new inquest, pathologist Dr. Brett Lockyer testified that the rope was tied using an "intricate three-knot system" that was improbable for Mark to have tied himself, especially given he had weakness on his left side. Senior Birmingham and Solihull Coroner Louise Hunt stated it was "extremely unlikely" Mark could have harmed himself as he was found and concluded that he was murdered.

"I think it's right that the record has been put straight," Hunt said. "I'm satisfied that Mark was murdered and there is no evidence that he took his own life."

Demands for Apology and Unresolved Questions

Cheryl Jeyes expressed anger that it took 42 years for the truth to be formally acknowledged and stated she would be writing to West Midlands Police to demand an apology. "The failings back then took away any possibility of Mark's killer ever being caught," she said. "We are all still living it now."

Their mother died two years ago without ever knowing what happened to her son. The family also recounted the lasting fear instilled in them as children when they were told "somebody nasty had taken Mark and hurt him." Mark's father described his son as a "lovely and quiet lad" who loved animals and riding his bike.

Police arrested three men in connection with Mark's death, but none were charged. The family has speculated that Mark may have been a victim of convicted killer Brian Field, who lived nearby and died in prison in 2024. Field was also linked to the disappearances of the "Milk Carton Kids." Mark's trousers were found pulled down, but decomposition prevented any determination of sexual assault, drugging, or poisoning.

Jenny Birch, head of homicide at West Midlands Police, acknowledged "failings" in the original investigation, including the delays in finding Mark's body and the destruction of evidence. She stated the force "now had a much higher standard."

West Midlands Police issued a statement saying their "focus remains on justice for Mark and our thoughts are with his family and friends," adding they were ready to follow up any new information. The family continues to appeal for anyone with information to come forward, stating, "Our brother can't speak for himself, but we will never stop speaking for him."