Statements to Press: June 30th.

STATEMENT BY ANN AND BRIAN NICHOLL,
PARENTS OF JENNY NICHOLL.

The following is statement by Mr and Mrs Nicholl, read at a Press Briefing at the Holly Hill Inn, Richmond, today, 30 June 06, the anniversary of their daughter’s disappearance:
It is exactly one year since our beloved daughter Jenny left home and has never returned.

During this year we have been on a tortuous rollercoaster of emotions, ranging from
hope to utter despair.

We have had to cope with a Police Investigation, and watch as
it has turned into a murder enquiry and face the inevitable realisation that our
daughter has been murdered and will never return home again.

It is the total belief of the Police and of the family that all the answers to Jenny’s
murder lie locally. We would, therefore, like to take this opportunity to appeal
directly to that person or persons who are responsible, or anyone with any knowledge
regarding Jenny’s murder.

We still do not know where Jenny is or what has happened to her.

You have kept these terrible secrets to yourself and only you can answer these questions. The heavy burden you must be carrying is immense and will not lessen with time. As Jenny’s family we need to know where her final resting place is, what has happened to her and why.

This will never bring Jenny back but we can at least then take care of her soul and bury her with the love, respect and dignity that she so rightly deserves.

As a family we need to be able to say good-bye properly and grieve for the loss of
our daughter. Please tell the Police what you know and end our ordeal.

Finally, we would like to give our sincere thanks to family and friends and the wider
community of Richmond for all the support they have shown us during this terrible
time. We would also like to express our gratitude to all the Police Investigation
Team for their determination and commitment as they continue to work tirelessly on
this protracted investigation.

Ann and Brian Nicholl.

JENNY NICHOLL ANNIVERSARY – STATEMENT BY
DETECTIVE INSPECTOR PETE MARTIN.

At a Press Briefing today (30/06/06) at the Holly Hill Inn, Richmond, DI Pete Martin said:

We are here, one year to the day that Jenny Nicholl set out from her home in Richmond, telling her parents not to worry, she might not be back that night.
Let me remind you of the chronology of events:
Jenny Nicholl set out from home on the evening of Thursday 30 June 2005. She was reported missing on Monday 4 July. Her white Rover 214i was found that same day on the car park here at the Holly Hill Inn. She had not been home, nor called, nor had she arrived for work at the Co-op. A Missing From Home enquiry began immediately as it was totally out of character for Jenny to stay out of contact with her family so long.
By mid-July a dedicated Incident Room had been set up at Richmond Police Station, officers had begun tracing and interviewing her circle of friends and acquaintances in and around Richmond, and physical searches had been made across rural areas where it was known Jenny liked to camp out.
On 9 July some of Jenny’s friends received text messages sent from her mobile phone, saying she was safe and well. These messages were sent from the Carlisle area. On 14 July Brian Nicholl, Jenny’s father, received a text from her mobile, this time from Jedburgh. These messages contained personal information that would only be known to someone who knew Jenny. Following this, extensive enquiries were made in Carlisle and the Scottish Borders.
By the start of August the enquiry had –
- searched a number of areas of woodland and moorland
- visited every pub in the area – Jenny enjoyed evenings in pubs and was a well-known figure in a local pool league
- circulated her description to every police force in the country
- conducted a succession of house-to-house enquiries around Richmond, especially around Holly Hill, an area Jenny liked to visit
- launched witness appeals via TV, radio and newspapers
- traced large numbers of her friends
-studied hours of CCTV
- set up a series of visits and appeals at rock events across the area - Jenny was a strong rock fan
On 16 August 2005 a local man was arrested in connection with an alleged attempt to pervert the course of justice. He was later released without further action.
On 6 October a poignant appeal was made by Mrs Ann Nicholl, who was out putting up banners in the town saying “Happy Birthday Jenny” and asking for help in tracing her.
It was becoming increasingly clear that we were not dealing with a Missing From Home enquiry, nothing had been found to indicate that Jenny Nicholl was alive. On 3 November I announced that the investigation was now being treated as a Murder Enquiry.

On 13 December we took the case to national TV once more, this time in the form of Crimewatch. It was then that Mrs Nicholl showed an exact copy of a much-loved teddy bear that appeared to have been taken from the house by Jenny not long before she disappeared, and we asked the question “That teddy could hold vital information – where is it now?”
On 17 January this year two local men were arrested on suspicion of the murder of Jenny Nicholl. One was released without charge on 19 January, the other is still on police bail as the enquiry continues.
The enquiry has been subject to a number of reviews both internally and externally. This has ensured that no investigative opportunities have been overlooked in this challenging and complex investigation.
On Monday 20 March officers made two finds in the wooded area known as Sandbeck Plantation, on the west of Richmond.
Concealed there were the teddy bear and the CD/cassette player that Jenny took with her when she set out on 30 June last year.
Those items are still undergoing tests and analysis.
This enquiry has employed many staff, specialist assistance and other resources. Since 30 June last year we have
- followed up 3,600 enquiries
- generated 4,300 documents, including 1,020 statements
- seized 2,400 exhibits
- conducted hundreds of searches across more than 150 areas
This work continues unabated.
Meanwhile, there is someone out there who knows more than they are telling about where Jenny Nicholl is.
It may be someone who knows a lot, or it may be someone who just has a tiny snippet of information that we can add to our jigsaw of evidence. In any event we need that information and I would appeal for you to call now. The Incident Room number is 01609-789347, or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The investigation is still very active. There is a suspect who remains on bail and for that reason I am limited as to what I can say.
The area around Richmond is very rural and a key part of the enquiry is the search for Jenny’s body. We are working with a number of experts analysing the considerable amount of information we have gathered during the investigation to assist in our decision making as to where we should focus the searches.
To echo the words of Mr and Mrs Nicholl, it is vitally important that we find Jenny’s body to be able to allow the family the opportunity to lay her to rest in the way any parents would want to do for their own child. Please help them and help us.

MARY'S READING FROM THE SERVICE CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING THE "MARY'S READING" ARCHIVE LINK ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE. ANYONE WISHING TO, CAN LEAVE A MESSAGE BY CLICKING"COMMENTS" UNDER THIS POSTING. YOU CAN ACCESS ALL OTHER POSTINGS AND MESSAGES BY USING THE ARCHIVE LINKS ON RIGHT SIDE OF PAGE.

Hi all,

I thought I would let you all know how the service for Jenny went last week.

We were absolutely overwhelmed at the turnout last week, as the church was packed...... standing room only at the back. It was full of family, friends, neighbours, members of the Police investigation team and a lot of Jenny's friends. It was also good to see so many people from in and around Richmond that we don't even know, but they turned up nonetheless. Some people had travelled a great distance and we are grateful to everyone who came. The service itself went well and it was nice. Obviously very emotional and moving but Ann and I are so glad that we did it. All the readers read exceptionally well and a lot of nice, kind things were said about Jenny. We have so many people to thank for all that was done for us and we will get round to them or write over the next week or two. We are also aware that there were a lot of very kind people helping in various ways behind the scenes and we would like to take this opportunity to thank them as well. We have been touched with everyone's goodwill and generousity. The proceeds from the collection will be split betweeen the National Missing Persons Helpline who helped us enormously, particularly in the early days and the Music Department of St Francis Xavier School, who done a lot for Jenny. My brother Terry, is looking at a way of possibly putting the order of service on the blogspot as a link, in due course, though we're not sure yet if it will be feasible.

Those that are local, or those that have seen some of the media coverage, will know that the investigation goes on and the searching continues. Now that we have paid tribute to Jenny, we all need to hope and pray that she is found soon......... very soon.


Brian & Ann.

MARY'S READING FROM THE SERVICE CAN BE FOUND BY CLICKING THE "MARY'S READING" ARCHIVE LINK ON RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THIS PAGE. I'LL TRY LATER TO POST ALL THE SERVICE. ANYONE WISHING TO, CAN LEAVE A MESSAGE BY CLICKING"COMMENTS" UNDER THIS POSTING. YOU CAN ACCESS ALL OTHER POSTINGS AND MESSAGES BY USING THE ARCHIVE LINKS ON RIGHT SIDE OF PAGE.

Mary's Reading.

JENNY’S EULOGY READING - READ BY MARY QUIRKE.


It is exactly one year, almost to the hour, since Jenny left home and never returned. On behalf of Brian, Ann, Chris and James, I would like to thank you all for coming, to share this service and think of Jenny.

This is a reading about my niece. It was written by Brian & Ann to be shared with everyone this evening. I know they would also want me to thank everyone who has supported them, either in person or by prayer during these difficult days especially those in Ireland, the United States and Australia, who cannot be here today Also to those who have helped with the organisation of everything today.

Jenny was the youngest and only daughter, preceded by two older brothers. Hence, she was always a bit of a tomboy. She could build tree houses, skateboard and play football just like any lad, maybe even better. As a small girl, getting her to wear a dress was a real struggle. As a teenager, she would often joke that she was emotionally damaged as a young child by being forced to wear a frilly frock to a birthday party! She was the first girl to play in St Mary’s School football team alongside 10 boys. Jenny enjoyed her football, sport and the outdoors. As her friend Terri McDonald said….. they were always on some sort of a mission together.

During her teenage years, she learned to play guitar and later joined a local band called “No Fouling”. You can see a photo of the band on one of the pillars here in the church, taken at a gig near Carlisle. These guys had fun and worked hard to make something of themselves. They also made it to the finals of “The Battle of the Bands” contest for local new bands during the Richmond Live music festival in 2002. An achievement they can all be proud of. Jenny was passionate about the guitar and was always belting out tunes in her room. Jimmy Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Nirvana, The Beatles and Razor Light…….oh, and even Pink Floyd! Many a time we yelled upstairs, but to no avail! The music you heard this evening during the communion, was a mellow rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb” by a country singer called Dar Williams. The original version has an outstanding guitar piece that Jenny aspired to play. The song you will hear as we leave the church later is “Stumble & Fall” by Razorlight” which Jenny played a few hundred times in her room! Oh how we wish we could holler up the stairs to keep the noise down……. But sadly, we know that will never happen again.

Jenny had a quirky sense of humour. For example, there was the time the school photographer asked if anyone wanted to bring their siblings back after school to have their photograph taken……. Jenny decided she would rather bring Rocky, her pet hamster! Bigger fool Ann was coerced into calling the school to check if this was okay. They said it was unusual, but acceptable nonetheless. Well, we ended up with a very happy six-year-old sitting with a hamster rather than a family photograph! This picture is also on one of the pillars here in the church tonight. More recently, she asked if Molly the family dog she adored, could have a Mohican style haircut the next time she was groomed. We got some strange looks from other dog walkers and we’re not sure what Molly thought about it, but Jenny was pleased with the look!

Jenny had a wide circle of friends in the town and had met many people, through her love of music and playing pool in one of the local leagues. She had a kind and caring nature, always eager to help those less fortunate than herself. She was always, without exception, non-judgemental in her approach to others. Indeed, on her last Christmas Day at home, at half past nine in the morning, she asked if we had any milk to spare. When we said yes of course we have, Jenny quickly got changed and took some to a friend. When she returned, we inquisitively asked who the milk was for. Jenny simply replied… “it was just someone I know, who doesn’t have much“. That said it all…… we enjoyed our Christmas Day, but it somehow has much more meaning now, as we think of Jenny’s thoughts that day, even as such a young person. We can’t help but wonder now, was her kind, trusting and gentle nature part of her demise?

Jenny was a daughter, a granddaughter, a niece, a sister, a cousin, a daughter in law, a friend and a companion to so many people. All of them and so many others loved her. Her life has quite literally been taken from us all, in the most dreadful and tragic way and we are left with an unfillable void. However, we are grateful that we had such an independent and exclusive person as a daughter. Jenny will always be our child and no one else’s, apart from perhaps, our heavenly father.

Quite simply, Jenny is unique. She is a young woman, our daughter and we will carry her in our hearts and minds forever more. She is our “Wee Jen” and we will catch up with her soon…………… all being well.