The family of a man whose death at Wick Harbour 21 years ago remains unexplained have expressed “frustration at inaction” four months after police filed a new report on the case to the Crown Office.
Detectives interviewed 15 witnesses last year following new information into the death of 24-year-old electrician Kevin Mcleod.
The move was the result of an alleged eyewitness coming forward claiming he had heard a commotion, a splash and witnessed two people – who he said were police officers – watching Kevin struggle in the water in the early hours of February 8, 1997.
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In correspondence to Kevin’s parents Hugh and June, police told them: “We have submitted our findings to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) in early October 2018 and we await an outcome that directs us.”
But the heartbroken family has hit out, claiming this is another delay in finding an answer to how Kevin died.
A fatal accident inquiry ruled an “open verdict” into the death, which police continue to treat as “unexplained”.
The family believe he was murdered at Wick Harbour in the early hours of February 8, 1997.
His body was found to have serious internal injuries similar to those inflicted in an assault.
Police Scotland finally admitted failings in the case two years ago and revealed that an instruction by the then Procurator Fiscal to leading officers to treat the death as murder went ignored.
Hugh and June Mcleod said: “The family are frustrated and furious that nearly four months after submitting their findings to the COPFS regarding their recent investigation, homicide detectives have failed to have a face-to-face meeting with the family to discuss their findings.
“The eye-witness had approached police in January 2018 and claimed that on his way home on the night Kevin died he had heard a commotion, a splash, then witnessed two police officers standing watch Kevin struggle in the waters of Wick harbour.
“This failure by detectives to meet with the family to discuss their findings is disrespectful, unprofessional and completely unacceptable.
“Sadly after nearly 22 years, the family continue to question can we trust the police and do police really want to solve this case.”
The ongoing review by the Criminal Allegations Against the Police Division (CAAPD) was instructed by the Lord Advocate in May 2018.
A Crown Office spokesman: “The Lord Advocate has instructed the Criminal Allegations Against the Police Division (CAAP-D) of COPFS to independently review the investigation carried out following the death of Kevin McLeod in February 1997, with a view to considering whether or not any further enquiries would be appropriate.
“The family continue to be kept up-to-date at regular intervals with any significant developments.”
