Mum of girl 'murdered by grooming gang' still 'stuck' in day she disappeared
The mum of missing schoolgirl Charlene Downes has said she will "burn a candle every day until justice is done" as her whereabouts remain unsolved 20 years on.
Karen Downes has pleaded for new information in her daughter's case as she nears two decades since the 14-year-old disappeared from her home in Blackpool. Despite a huge police investigation and a criminal trial - in which disturbing evidence emerged alleging Charlene was murdered and her remains used in kebab meat - what happened to her is still a mystery.
Mum Karen says she is still "stuck in that day" when Charlene went missing on November 1 and is planning to release 20 white doves on the anniversary - one for each year she's been gone. The 58-year-old says she has come to accept her daughter is likely dead, but remains hopeful of seeing justice in her lifetime.
"I never sleep. I can’t carry on with life. I am still stuck in that day," she said. "Since she disappeared, I have had a candle burning in my window, and it still burns today. I hope and pray for justice."
Dad Robert Sr, sister Rebecca and mum Karen outside coroners court (Blackpool Gazette / SWNS)Charlene was last seen in Blackpool town centre on November 1, 2003, with Lancashire Police believing she was killed on the same day. Two men were tried in 2007 for murder and helping dispose of Charlene's body, but the trial collapsed as the jury were unable to reach a verdict. Both were released as a second trial was scheduled due to concerns over the evidence.
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Police have long held the belief the teenager was a victim of ongoing child sexual exploitation in the town at the hands of a paedophile ring. Claims Charlene's remains were used for kebab meat in one of the town's takeaways have never been proved, with Karen saying she's never personally believed them but that the disturbing theory has "followed us around".
Together with husband Bob, 61, Karen is now planning a memorial service to mark the 20th anniversary of the case and will hold a candlelit vigil outside the church she attended for Sunday school. "There have been so many awful rumours about what happened to her and as her mum it is hard to take," she added. "I just want closure, for her and for the rest of the family."
The case is being re-examined by private investigator Jen Jarvie as part of a team looking back at cold cases. Karen says she hopes Ms Jarvie can be the one to put her daughter "to rest" finally.
As well as the horrifying allegations to emerge over Charlene's disappearance over the years, the family have been dealt several other hard blows. In December 2021, Karen's son Robert, 30, died of an overdose - the mum said he "never got over the loss of his sister".
If she were still around today, Charlene would now be 34 years old. Grandmother-of-eight Karen said her daughter "lives on" through one of her granddaughters who "really reminds me of her".
The family have made a spirited plea to anyone with any information on Charlene's disappearance who may have been afraid to come forward over the years, reiterating that "someone knows the truth". Despite 20 years passing, Karen said the family were "still no nearer to the truth" and the pain "never goes away".
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