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Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Daily Record
Dad of murdered Moira Jones dies after tireless campaign to help other bereaved families
Hu Jones passed away almost 17 years after his daughter Moira, 40, was brutally murdered in Glasgow's Queens Park. The dad of murdered Moira Jones has died after a tireless campaign to help other bereaved families in his daughter's name. Hu Jones' daughter Moira, 40, was was raped and beaten to death after being abducted just yards from her home at Glasgow's Queens Park in May 2008. Now tributes have been paid to former maths teacher Hu, who passed away aged 87 on April 16. The pensioner campaigned to help other families suffering grief and loss alongside his wife and Moira's mother, Bea. The Moira Fund - a charity set up in their daughter's name - announced the news, paying tribute to the 'devoted husband' and 'loving father'. Moira, originally from Staffordshire, had been living in Glasgow for around five years when she was brutally murdered. She had been returning to her flat on Queen's Drive when she was abducted by Marek Harcar. The sales executive was then forced into Queen's Park where she was raped and killed. The Slovakian national was jailed for life and ordered to spend a minimum of 25 years behind bars. In the months that followed her murder Bea, Hu and their son Grant set up the charity to help others bereaved through violence. It has since helped families across the UK by providing grants to cover everything from funeral costs to clothes for attending court. Paying tribute to Hu, The Moira Fund said: 'After Moira's tragic murder, Hu dedicated his time to supporting Bea and to the development and growth of The Moira Fund. His steadfast commitment helped turn grief into meaningful action, ensuring that those facing unimaginable loss had somewhere to turn for comfort and support. 'His compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication shaped The Moira Fund into what it is today - a beacon of hope and kindness. 'Moira's legacy, built through Hu and Bea's unwavering love and dedication, will continue to bring comfort and support to those who need it most. His work has touched countless lives, and his impact will continue to be felt by those the charity helps.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. One online tribute paid to Hu said: 'Hu was a fine man and although he will be greatly missed he will also always be greatly remembered for the amazing human being he was.' Another said: 'Such a wonderful person and couple.' Hu's funeral to be held in Weston, Staffordshire, where he lived for 60 years, next month.
Scottish Sun
05-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Dad of tragic Moira Jones who was killed in brutal murder that shocked Scotland dies
The pensioner campaigned to help bereaved families alongside his wife and Moira's mother, Bea 'LOVED AND RESPECTED' Dad of tragic Moira Jones who was killed in brutal murder that shocked Scotland dies Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE heartbroken father of a woman who was killed in one of Scotland's most shocking murders has died. Hu Jones' daughter Moira, 40, was raped and battered to death at Queen's Park, Glasgow, in May 2008. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Hu Jones, the father of murder victim Moira Jones, has died Credit: The Moira Fund 4 Moira was killed in Queen's Park in May 2008 after she was abducted Credit: Glasgow Films 4 Moira's parents Bea and Hu campaigned tirelessly for bereaved families Credit: The Moira Fund 4 The devoted couple hosted the annual Moira Run 5k in Queen's Park Credit: Robert Perry 2023 The horrific murder sparked a major police probe and an international manhunt. Hu, a former maths teacher, sadly passed away aged 87 on April 16. The pensioner campaigned to help bereaved families alongside his wife and Moira's mother, Bea. Bea told the Glasgow Times: "For 61 years, Hu was my rock. Loving, caring, always there. "I will miss him desperately, I know, and so will the many who knew him. "He was a hugely supportive, wonderful dad and father-in-law, a much-loved uncle and brother-in-law, a staunch friend and he cared deeply about all he met. He listened, he shared, he understood." Moira was murdered in Queen's Park after being abducted near her home by Slovakian national, Marek Harcar. The evil beast sexually assaulted and beat the businesswoman to death. After the murder, Harcar fled to the Czech Republic and then Slovakia. DNA obtained from a flat where he had been staying linked him to the savage crime and a European arrest warrant was issued. Moment rampaging yobs trash Scots pub and drink from beer taps in late-night carnage Harcar was later extradited to the UK and in 2009 he was caged for at least 25 years after being found guilty at the High Court in Glasgow. Bea and Hu later launched The Moira Fund in memory of their beloved daughter. The charity offers financial support and counselling for people who have been bereaved by murder and violent death. The couple have frequently returned to Queen's Park to host the Moira Run, a 5k run that has become a popular annual event. A statement from The Moira Fund read: "Hu died suddenly on 16th April aged 85. "He was a devoted husband of Bea, a loving father to Grant and the late Moira, and father-in-law to Sharon and a full member of the wider family both north and south of the border. "He was a dedicated maths teacher and Deputy Head for 45 years and then co-founder and stalwart of The Moira Fund. "He and Bea lived in Weston for nearly 60 years where he was an active member of the village community, widely loved and respected." Hu's funeral will be held at St. Andrew's Church in Weston, Staffordshire, on May 9. Donations can be made to The Moira Fund here.
Glasgow Times
05-05-2025
- Glasgow Times
Devoted father of Glasgow murder victim Moira Jones sadly dies
Hu Jones, whose daughter Moira was raped and killed in Queen's Park in 2008, died suddenly on April 16, aged 87. His wife, Bea, told the Glasgow Times: "For 61 years, Hu was my rock, loving, caring, always there. I will miss him desperately, I know, and so will the many who knew him." Hu and Bea with daughter Moira (Image: Courtesy of Bea Jones) "He was a hugely supportive, wonderful dad and father-in-law, a much-loved uncle and brother-in-law, a staunch friend and he cared deeply about all he met. He listened, he shared, he understood. "They don't come along that often, folks like Hu." Hu and Bea Jones (Image: Courtesy of Bea Jones) The Moira Fund, a pioneering charity set up by Hu and Bea to support victims, shared the newsof Hu's death 'with deep sadness' and added: 'After Moira's tragic murder, Hu dedicated his time to supporting Bea and to the development and growth of The Moira Fund. Moira Jones (Image: Courtesy of Bea Jones) 'His steadfast commitment helped turn grief into meaningful action, ensuring that those facing unimaginable loss had somewhere to turn for comfort and support. His compassion, strength, and unwavering dedication shaped The Moira Fund into what it is today—a beacon of hope and kindness.' Businesswoman Moira was parking her car outside her flat, which overlooked Queen's Park, when she was attacked. The 40-year-old's murder, by a Slovakian national who was later discovered to have a history of crime, shocked the city, who rallied to support Moira's parents and brother Grant. Hu Jones, right, with daughter-in-law Sharon, son Grant, and wife Bea. (Image: Newsquest) Hu, a retired maths teacher, and Bea set up The Moira Fund, which provides financial support and counselling for people who have been bereaved by murder and violent death. Bea and Hu Jones (Image: Newsquest) It has helped more than 5000 people, and awarded grants to the value of almost half a million pounds. The couple were instrumental in the establishment of Scotland's national homicide support service. Eleven years ago, the charity launched the Moira Run, a 5K in Queen's Park that has become a popular community event attracting hundreds of people each year. The annual run in Moira's memory in Queen's Park (Image: Newsquest) Glasgow actor and writer Elaine C Smith is a long-time supporter of the event. READ NEXT: 'My sister pushed for cancer test, without her I might not be here' READ NEXT: Charity helping pupils from different faiths work together The charity added: 'Moira's legacy, built through Hu and Bea's unwavering love and dedication, will continue to bring comfort and support to those who need it most. His work has touched countless lives, and his impact will continue to be felt by those the charity helps.' Hu and Bea laying flowers in Queen's Park (Image: Newsquest) In Hu's obituary in our sister newspaper The Herald, Karyn McCluskey, chief executive of Community Justice Scotland, said: 'Bea was often the public face of the Moira Fund – warm, articulate, deeply committed – but Hu was the foundation: steady, organised, thoughtful, always present. 'A man with a twinkle in his eye and a heart big enough to hold the sorrow of others alongside his own, he listened more than he spoke, but when he did speak, it mattered. He challenged injustice, questioned complacency, and never let anyone feel unseen.' She added: 'Hu and Bea chose not to let despair have the final word. Out of their unimaginable grief, they created The Moira Fund, a charity dedicated to supporting families who have lost loved ones to murder and culpable homicide. It was an act of pure courage, to take pain and forge from it something enduring and meaningful.' Hu's funeral will take place on May 9 in Weston, Staffordshire, where he and Bea have lived for 60 years. Donations can be made to
The Herald Scotland
03-05-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Father who led powerful campaign after the murder of his daughter
Died: April 16, 2025 Hu Jones, who has died aged 87, epitomised the very best of what it means to be human. A devoted father, husband, teacher, and quiet force for good, Hu lived a life defined not by its sorrows, though he endured them, but by his grace, strength, and unwavering commitment to love and community. Hu was a mathematics teacher whose love of education was matched only by his love for people. He could hold a conversation about anything – from astrophysics to the nuances of STEM – yet always circled back to what mattered most: children, learning, and kindness. A man of sharp intellect and deep humility, he taught not just algebra and equations, but empathy and encouragement – and his memory for his former pupils' names was undimmed, despite the years. With his beloved wife Bea, Hu raised two children in Weston, Staffordshire: Moira, who settled in Glasgow, and Grant, who lived in Australia. Their lives revolved around the gentle routines of family life: work, long-distance calls to keep in touch across time zones, visits to Moira's bright, welcoming flat in Queen's Park, and the ordinary joys of shared meals and laughter. Hu delighted in the life they built together: a simple, grounded joy that would be forever changed. In 2008, their world was shattered when Moira was murdered in Queen's Park, Glasgow. It is impossible to comprehend such a loss – a tragedy that tore through everything they knew and loved. The moment of the knock on the door, the delivery of the "death message," marked a line in their lives: a before and an after. But Hu and Bea chose not to let despair have the final word. Out of their unimaginable grief, they created The Moira Fund, a charity dedicated to supporting families who have lost loved ones to murder and culpable homicide. It was an act of pure courage, to take pain and forge from it something enduring and meaningful. Backed by Elaine C Smith and Dame Elish Angiolini, Hu and Bea campaigned tirelessly for victims' rights and were instrumental in the establishment of Scotland's national homicide support service. Bea was often the public face of the Moira Fund – warm, articulate, deeply committed – but Hu was the foundation: steady, organised, thoughtful, always present. A man with a twinkle in his eye and a heart big enough to hold the sorrow of others alongside his own, he listened more than he spoke, but when he did speak, it mattered. He challenged injustice, questioned complacency, and never let anyone feel unseen. Read more Scottish farmer who pioneered a new way of doing dairy dies | The Herald Scots-Norwegian industrialist with one of UK's best-known brands dies | The Herald They kept Moira's flat in Queen's Park, afterwards. On one visit, Hu walked me back to my car and gently remarked that the spot where I'd parked was the same place where Moira had left her car the night she was taken. Such details – quietly carried – are the threads of trauma that never truly leave. And yet Hu kept going, never retreating from the world, but walking through it with grace. Eleven years ago, the Moira Fund launched the Moira Run, a 5K in Queen's Park that quickly became a fixture in the community. Hundreds turned out year after year - some to run, some to remember, some simply to show solidarity. Elaine C Smith would warm up the crowd, volunteers buzzed with energy, and Hu would be there - thanking stewards, walking and talking with the runners. He loved the group from Neeson's bar who turned up every year dressed in absurd costumes – dinosaurs, clowns – and brought levity to the day. It is a joyful event and he loved the camaraderie, the way people came together in Moira's name. And yet, before every run, Hu and Bea would begin the day quietly, at the spot where their daughter's body had been found. From that place of private grief, they stepped into the bustle of public remembrance, always bridging the two. Over the years, they were joined by other families who had also lost loved ones to violence – people who ran with photos pinned to their shirts, who joined in wholeheartedly with the day and perhaps healed a little. Through their fundraising, the Moira Fund has helped over 5000 people, a legacy not just of Moira's life, but of Hu and Bea's determination to turn pain into purpose. Though Hu and Bea lived in Staffordshire, his heart never left Scotland. Moira was there. And so, eventually, was Grant, who returned from Australia and made Scotland his home once more, becoming an award-winning landscape photographer, another way of honouring the land and the people they loved. Every day, Hu walked to the cemetery where Moira is buried. On the way, he'd talk to neighbours, learn their names, remember their stories. Cards have flooded through the letterbox since his death. One woman wrote to say that she'd met him while pregnant; her child is now six, and Hu had remembered both their names, every time. That was the man he was – present, engaged, sincere. Everyone he met mattered to him. Relationships and our connection to each other mattered to him. It was what made life meaningful. To see Hu and Bea together was to witness a partnership forged in love, assailed by sorrow, and sustained by the deepest mutual respect. Hu adored Bea. The way he spoke about her, looked at her, walked beside her, it was love that carried weight, history, humour and heartbreak. In the darkest of times, they found light in each other. Hu Jones was a man who never asked for recognition, but who quietly changed the world around him. He carried tragedy with dignity, met strangers with warmth, and built a legacy that will outlive us all. His was a life of gentle strength – not loud, not boastful – but utterly extraordinary in its humanity. He is survived by his wife Bea, his son Grant, and a community that is immeasurably better for having known him. In remembering Hu, we remember the importance of kindness, of showing up, of listening, and of love – fierce, enduring, and full-hearted. To know Hu was to be cared for, to be remembered – to be seen. And that was his greatest gift. Karyn McCluskey is chief executive of Community Justice Scotland At The Herald, we carry obituaries of notable people from the worlds of business, politics, arts and sport but sometimes we miss people who have led extraordinary lives. That's where you come in. If you know someone who deserves an obituary, please consider telling us about their lives. Contact
