THE killer of Joanna Simpson has lost a bid for freedom.
British Airways pilot Robert Brown bludgeoned her to death with a hammer within earshot of their two young children on Halloween 2010.
![From Moonshine Features..THE BA KILLER.Monday 26th February 2024 Part 1.Thursday 29th February 2024 Part 2.On ITV1 and ITVX..Police Mug shot : BA Captain Robert Brown..On Halloween 2010 at the age of 46 Jo was battered to death by her husband BA Captain Robert Brown in the vicinity of her children aged just 10 & 9 at the time, this was just 1 week before the finalization of their divorce...Halloween, 2010. Britain is rocked by the disappearance of Joanna Simpson, a wealthy heiress and mother of two.from Ascot. The following morning her husband, a British Airways Captain makes a 999 call to report a domestic.issue. Despite handing himself in, Robert Brown then refuses to help the police with their missing persons.investigation. With full access to the unseen Robert Brown police interview tapes, and Joannas friends and family, this is the gripping story of a complex investigation by Thames Valley Major Crime Unit. It charts an acrimonious divorce and a pre-nuptial agreement of a wealthy heiress that was to change British legal history and leads to the tragic discovery of a body in a shallow grave in Windsor Great Park...(C) Moonshine Features ..For further information please contact Peter Gray.Mob 07831460662 / peter.gray@itv.com..This photograph is (C) *** and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned herein...Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged...Any subsequent usage may incur a fee...This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk...This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk...Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/the_british_airways_killer_05jpg-JS881373204_10e87f.jpg?strip=all&w=695)
He was sentenced to 26 years for manslaughter but had been due for automatic release last year.
Justice Secretary Alex Chalk stepped in following a battle by Jo’s mum Diana Parkes, backed by The Sun’s Justice for Joanna campaign.
And Brown, 60, was told last week his appeal had now been thrown out.
Mr Chalk said: “Joanna Simpson was taken from her family in a crime of exceptional callousness and cruelty. I am pleased the Court of Appeal has dismissed his application.”
Brown’s case will now be heard before the Parole Board.
He has refused to take part in any behaviour programmes.
Diana told The Sun: “This man poses a high risk to the public.
“I would like to express my gratitude to The Sun for backing the campaign to prevent Robert Brown from receiving an early automatic release.”
Joanna was killed at home in Windsor, Berks.
Tomorrow marks what would have been her 60th birthday.