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Helen Smith: Guiseley nurse to be laid to rest after three decades
The body of a nurse from Guiseley who died in mysterious circumstances Saudi Arabia is finally to be laid to rest 30 years after her death.
The body of Helen Smith has lain in a mortuary at Leeds General Infirmary since she died on May 20 1979.
The 23-year-old died along with another man after plunging to her death during an illegal party at a block of hospital flats in Saudi Arabia.
Her father Ron Smith, 83, has continued his battle to discover the truth about how she met her fate, believing she had been murdered. But last night it was revealed he is set to allow his daughter to be laid to rest. Her body is believed to have been moved to a funeral home.
A funeral is expected to be held in Wakefield on November 9 after
Helen's mother – Mr Smith's ex wife Jeryl – sent him a letter. It said
they must put their feelings to one side and do the "right and decent thing" for Helen.
Helen's body has earned a macabre place in the record books as being
the longest period of time a body has not been buried or cremated in Britain.
After six post mortem examinations and forensic tests, what is left of her remains had been in a sealed casket stored in the mortuary at Leeds General Infirmary.
A Saudi investigation concluded that Helen's death was accidental. A British inquest recorded an open verdict.
Mr Smith never accepted the conclusion of the Saudi investigation.
Mr Smith, who suffers from ill health, said: "My ex-wife and my family have decided that the time is opportune.
"I will be attending. It will be very emotional. It has been 30 years.
There will never be any closure. Helen's remains must, I agree be disposed of.
"But I will never accept there has been no cover up or give up in this cause I have been fighting for 30 years."
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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