My son was brutally executed 24 years ago – then I received a mysterious email out of the blue with cryptic clue
A HEARTBROKEN father is still searching for answers after his son was brutally murdered 24 years ago - with just one cryptic clue left behind.
Tony Corley, 70, has been battling for justice after son Mark, 23, was killed in an execution style shooting in Grimsby on December 13, 2000.
His body was discovered five months after he went missing in Grantham, but no one has ever been convicted of his murder.
Lincolnshire Police made five arrests in connection with the murder, but ultimately the case went cold.
A desperate Tony has even scrapped together £20,000 for a reward for anyone with information.
This month marked 24 years since the tragedy, and the dad only has one piece of evidence to lead with.
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He told he received a cryptic email from an anonymous sender claiming to know the killers.
However, the mystery correspondent said they needed more time to decide whether or not to volunteer the information.
Tony explained: “I contacted the police about the potential tip and they took the email and phone number and tracked down the person who gave us the tip.
"They investigated and said it was true, but the tipster was frightened of perpetrators and they couldn't force him to give any information."
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The heartbroken father pleaded for justice after seeing "25 years of my life wasted".
"I've never been the same person since, but you’ve just got to learn to deal with it so day to day that's all I can do," he added.
Tony told how the trauma has understandable made him "very bitter" and "short tempered" which saw his partner and friends turn their backs on him.
He said: "It's like I'm doing my own life sentence. This has destroyed my life; I just exist."
It is Tony's understanding that Mark had been mixed up with some bad people.
The group went their separate ways over some of Mark's behaviour before he went missing.
The trial came about and sadly enough the judge said there would be no trial – he said the police would be prosecuted for breaking law
Tony
The young lad was last seen by his mum in late June after he said he was going away for a short trip, but never returned.
An urgent search was launched for the dad-of-one that lasted five months, before drainage workers found his body in a field near Darlington.
The force arrested charged one man on suspicion of murder, and four on conspiracy to murder - all of whom denied the accusations.
But they walked free after the force were exposed for conducting an illegal bugging operation using hidden microphones outside police stations.
They were able to listen in on confidential conversations had between the men and their lawyers.
Tony said: “The trial came about and sadly enough the judge said there would be no trial – he said the police would be prosecuted for breaking law."
The devastated father claimed no one from the force ever apologised.
Cold case timeline
TONY Corley has been battling for 24 years to see justice in his son's case
- Mark Corley vanishes without a trace from Grantham in the summer of 2000.
- The dad-of-one is last seen by his mother in June 2000 when he told her he was going away for a few days.
- Mark, 23, doesn't return home and his father Tony is informed by his daughter.
- A search party is launched for the young lad that lasts five months.
- Drainage workers find Mark's body in a field near Darlington on December 13, 2000.
- Cops charge five men, one with murder and four with conspiracy to murder.
- The case goes to trial at Nottingham Crown Court in January 2022.
- Mr Justice Newman dismisses the charges after it is revealed officers used an unlawful bugging operation.
- As of August 2024, the case is still considered open by Lincolnshire Police.
- Tony has a £20,000 reward for anyone who has any incriminating evidence that could lead to justice.
He is reminded of the heartache every year on his son's birthday, the anniversary of when he went missing, when his body was uncovered and the court case.
But determined Tony still shows strength in his positive outlook towards the future.
“I’ve always had hope and I honestly believe that nobody knows what’s around the corner," he said.
“I'll never give up – it's how far I can push to keep the story out there. There’s a reward, I've written my book and I'm trying my best really."
Tony wrote ‘More Questions Than Answers’ about the murder, to raise awareness of his son's case.
A spokesperson for Lincolnshire Police said: “Nobody has been brought to justice for the murder of Mark Corley.
"Whilst Lincolnshire Police are not actively reviewing this case, should additional evidence or information be forthcoming, discussions will be held with the Crown Prosecution Service.”
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Speaking in 2019, Deputy Chief Constable Craig Naylor, of Lincolnshire Police, said: "Whilst nobody has been brought to justice for the murder of Mark Corley, we do hold reviews of the case periodically in line with force policy.
"Should additional evidence or information be forthcoming, discussions will be held with the family and the Crown Prosecution Service and every effort will be made to progress the case."
