Fiona Campbell (15) was murdered on August 21st, 1986 at 18 Leaper Street, Derby.
I was extremely sad researching her death, just found it beyond heartbreaking on every conceivable level.
I wrote a few words about her life, her family, and the unfairness of her death. /1
I was extremely sad researching her death, just found it beyond heartbreaking on every conceivable level.
I wrote a few words about her life, her family, and the unfairness of her death. /1
CW: Sexual assault.
I try to write these threads to remember the victim, and not to focus too much on the perpetrator.
It's just not easy to tell the story without mentioning what happened at the end, so if that topic is too upsetting it'd be better to stop reading here.
I try to write these threads to remember the victim, and not to focus too much on the perpetrator.
It's just not easy to tell the story without mentioning what happened at the end, so if that topic is too upsetting it'd be better to stop reading here.
Fiona was born on May 18th, 1971, the 3rd child of the family.
Her mother, Elizabeth (Lil), brought Fiona home to her older brother, Sam, and older sister, Anita.
On May 28th, aged 10 days old, Fiona's heart stopped working properly and she was rushed to Bristol Hospital.
Her mother, Elizabeth (Lil), brought Fiona home to her older brother, Sam, and older sister, Anita.
On May 28th, aged 10 days old, Fiona's heart stopped working properly and she was rushed to Bristol Hospital.
The next few months were spent in ICU and it didn't look good, though her mother maintained a belief little Fiona "was a born fighter."
Eventually she made it home and things got better for baby Fiona.
An awful tragedy was to hit the family in the summer of 1975.
Eventually she made it home and things got better for baby Fiona.
An awful tragedy was to hit the family in the summer of 1975.
Fiona's older sister, Anita, was born on April 2nd, 1970 and given only a year between them, they were inseparable.
In the summer of 1975, a driver went through a red light and into a pregnant Lil's car.
Anita was killed instantly, aged 5, and it affected Fiona enormously. 😢
In the summer of 1975, a driver went through a red light and into a pregnant Lil's car.
Anita was killed instantly, aged 5, and it affected Fiona enormously. 😢
It wasn't a good run of fortune for the family, though thankfully the unborn baby survived the crash.
Lil moved the family from Bristol to Derby, into number 74 William Street, for a fresh start.
Katrina was born in 1976 and 5-year-old Fiona was delighted to have a new sister.
Lil moved the family from Bristol to Derby, into number 74 William Street, for a fresh start.
Katrina was born in 1976 and 5-year-old Fiona was delighted to have a new sister.
Meanwhile Fiona settled in very well in Derby.
She quickly made many friends at The Bemrose School, which is an all-through school combining primary and secondary.
Lil got Fiona a new dog, Whisky, and she instantly adored him and walked him every day, rain hail or shine.
She quickly made many friends at The Bemrose School, which is an all-through school combining primary and secondary.
Lil got Fiona a new dog, Whisky, and she instantly adored him and walked him every day, rain hail or shine.
When she was almost 14, Fiona was asked by a family friend across the road on Leaper Street would she be interested in doing some babysitting.
A young single mother, Linda, she gave Fiona a few bob just to watch the two boys of a Saturday night.
The boys knew and liked Fiona.
A young single mother, Linda, she gave Fiona a few bob just to watch the two boys of a Saturday night.
The boys knew and liked Fiona.
At 2:30am on August 21st, 1986, Linda's estranged husband arrived, unannounced and uninvited, when Fiona was babysitting.
He attempted to rape Fiona and then murdered her to prevent her telling anyone.
Sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and attempted rape.
He attempted to rape Fiona and then murdered her to prevent her telling anyone.
Sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and attempted rape.
Fiona inflicted dozens of injuries on that man, who is not worth the energy of naming in this thread.
Lil said "my baby fought for her life, at the end of it, just as hard as she did at the beginning of it."
During the murder trial, Lil had to keep fighting for her daughter.
Lil said "my baby fought for her life, at the end of it, just as hard as she did at the beginning of it."
During the murder trial, Lil had to keep fighting for her daughter.
Under an arguable loophole in the law in England, newspapers weren't allowed publish Fiona's name due to the attempted rape charge.
The Derby Evening Telegraph, supported by Lil's affidavit, fought the ruling.
Lil wanted people to know how her daughter died.
Very brave.
The Derby Evening Telegraph, supported by Lil's affidavit, fought the ruling.
Lil wanted people to know how her daughter died.
Very brave.
Fiona's classmates were asked how the Bemrose School could remember her.
They suggested the planting of a cherry tree, so that each year when it flowers they can think of Fiona.
Later the school named their safeguarding initiative 'Cherry Tree'.
Lil planting the tree (below)
They suggested the planting of a cherry tree, so that each year when it flowers they can think of Fiona.
Later the school named their safeguarding initiative 'Cherry Tree'.
Lil planting the tree (below)
Lil didn't have much money; so with Fiona's first anniversary approaching in 1987, there was only a wooden cross on her grave.
A kind neighbour, Julie Thorpe, launched a fundraiser.
Once again supported by The Derby Evening Telegraph, who had supported the family throughout.
A kind neighbour, Julie Thorpe, launched a fundraiser.
Once again supported by The Derby Evening Telegraph, who had supported the family throughout.
Moved by the public appeal, The Archway Funeral Services gave Lil a headstone for free. 🙏
"It was dreadful only having a wooden cross. I never could have afforded anything as lovely as this, I'm just so grateful."
Lil photographed at the headstone on the day it was erected.
"It was dreadful only having a wooden cross. I never could have afforded anything as lovely as this, I'm just so grateful."
Lil photographed at the headstone on the day it was erected.
"People try to comfort me by telling me God must have wanted an angel. I'd love to believe that. If he did, he certainly got one in Fiona - she was always an angel to me." - Lil
This is Fiona Campbell.
May 18th, 1971 - August 21st, 1986
RIP ❤️
This is Fiona Campbell.
May 18th, 1971 - August 21st, 1986
RIP ❤️
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