Lorraine Williamson
For more than two decades, Kevin Thomas Parle has evaded justice. Now 45, the Liverpool-born fugitive remains one of the UK’s most wanted men, with a £10,000 reward on offer for information leading to his arrest.
Parle, nicknamed “Hemp”, is the prime suspect in two of Merseyside’s most notorious murders: the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Liam Kelly in 2004 and the brutal killing of mother-of-three Lucy Hargreaves a year later. Despite repeated international appeals and extensive police operations, he continues to slip through the net.
A double murder trail in Liverpool
The name Kevin Parle first surfaced in June 2004 when teenager Liam Kelly was gunned down in the Dingle, Liverpool. Police believe the killing was linked to a small drug debt of around £200. Another man was convicted for organising the attack, but Parle, arrested and released on bail, disappeared before facing further charges.
Just over a year later, in August 2005, violence struck again. In the early hours, masked men stormed a house in Walton, where 22-year-old Lucy Hargreaves slept on the sofa. She was shot three times with a sawn-off shotgun before the attackers set fire to the home. Lucy’s partner and young daughter narrowly escaped the flames. Investigators concluded her partner Gary Campbell may have been the intended target in a long-running feud, but Lucy became the innocent victim.
Although multiple arrests were made over the years, no convictions followed. Parle has remained the principal suspect in both cases ever since.
Height, build and distinctive features
Parle’s description has barely changed in 20 years. Standing between 6ft 5in and 6ft 7in (195–200cm), he has a stocky build, ginger hair in a short crop, and blue eyes. He is of white European appearance and is considered “highly dangerous” by UK authorities.
Spain in the spotlight
The long hunt for Parle has taken investigators across Europe and beyond. Spain, however, has frequently been highlighted as a possible refuge. The Costa del Sol, home to a large British community, has often been cited as a likely hiding place, with reported – though unverified – sightings in Málaga, the Costa Brava and the Canary Islands.
In 2019, British media even linked Parle to the disappearance of a British father and son in Estepona, a case still under investigation as a possible double murder.
Local residents in southern Spain admit that the renewed publicity around Parle’s case has stirred unease. “It’s not about the money, it’s about the danger,” one neighbour told Antena 3. “It’s frightening, especially if you have children. Here it’s easy to blend in.”
Fresh appeal and reward
This week, Crimestoppers relaunched its appeal with a reward of £10,000 (€11,600) for information leading to Parle’s capture. Spanish media, have highlighted the possibility that he may still be hiding on the Costa del Sol, warning local residents to remain alert. Authorities believe he could be living quietly within expat communities, shielded by a network of supporters.
How to share information safely
Anyone with information about Kevin Parle’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crimestoppers. Details can be provided anonymously online at the Crimestoppers website or by calling 0800 555 111 from a UK mobile. Information passed directly to the police will not qualify for the reward.
Crimestoppers guarantees complete anonymity. Calls are never recorded, no caller ID is ever shown, and computer IP addresses are not traced. Personal details are not required at any point.
To claim the reward, a reward code must be requested when making contact. For anonymous online reports, the “keeping in contact” facility should be used, and the reward code must be requested during the first contact.
A fugitive for over 20 years
The National Crime Agency and Crimestoppers continue to appeal for public help. With a reward of over €11,600 now in place, authorities hope renewed attention will finally end one of Britain’s most frustrating manhunts.
Parle’s story has become symbolic of both the reach of organised crime and the challenges of international law enforcement. For the families of Liam Kelly and Lucy Hargreaves, however, the case is not about headlines or notoriety – it is about long-delayed justice.
Sources: National Crime Agency, Crimestoppers, Antena3, Liverpool Echo