New bid to mark Lily’s grave

IN need of a name . . . the grave where Lily Lilley lies buried beside her husband, Jack

A FRESH appeal has been made to etch the name of murder victim Lily Lilley on her headstone - 15 years after she was laid to rest in Failsworth Cemetery.

The brutal killing of the frail 71-year-old widow in 1998 sparked outrage. Her schoolgirl killers beat and gagged her, then bundled her body into a wheelie bin and dumped it in the Rochdale Canal.

Lily’s remains lie alongside those of her husband Jack but his headstone has never been modified to add her name.

Four years ago a friend of the family appealed for help through the Chronicle but failed to keep note of several offers and couldn’t continue when the one he had chosen fell through.

A visit to the cemetery has now prompted him to make a second appeal.

He said: “Lily’s grave is just the same. It really is a shame it has been left like that. Last time there were offers from stonemasons to do the work for free, and I am sure someone will be willing to do it this time.”

Lisa Healey was 15 when she joined fellow schoolgirl Sarah Davey (14), in torturing and killing the pensioner. They took over Lily’s home, running up the phone bill and spending her pension on sweets and chocolates. Judge Mr Justice Sachs described it as “unspeakable cruelty.”

The case hit the headlines at the end of 2009 when it was revealed taxpayers faced a bill to give Healey and her child new identities.

Send offers of help to marinaberry@oldham-chronicle.co.uk