A second fatal accident inquiry could be held into the circumstances of a mysterious death of a 24-year-old man Caithness man.
Kevin Mcleod’s body was recovered from the waters of Wick Harbour 22 years ago.
Now his family – who believe he was murdered – have been given fresh hope in their quest to find answers as to how the electrician died.
The Crown Office has informed the distraught parents of Kevin, Hugh and June Mcleod, that evidence not available at the first hearing in 1998 – which delivered an open verdict – could pave the way for a second inquiry to be called.
Police Scotland, in June, called in outside force Merseyside Police to carry out an independent review of the case.
In correspondence with the family, deputy Crown agent Lindsay Miller said it was “prudent” for officers to consider a fresh fatal accident inquiry (FAI) given new evidence not available at the time of the 1998 inquiry.
She said: “Evidence which was not available, and could not reasonably have been made available, at the original inquiry into the death … further proceedings can take one of two forms, either the re-opening and continuation of the original inquiry, or a completely new (fresh) inquiry being held into a death which was the subject of the original inquiry.
“I have indicated that I think it would be prudent for officers to consider this possibility as part of the review.”
Mr Mcleod’s death was not initially treated as murder by police, despite an instruction from local prosecutors to treat it as such.
Kevin’s parents said: “The family are encouraged after being informed that any “new evidence” which was not available at the time of any original FAI can now possibly proceed to a completely new FAI being held.
“There is indeed crucial “new evidence” that was not available or presented to the sheriff at the time of original FAI in 1998 which must now clearly merit a fresh inquiry.
A Crown Office spokesman said: “The additional investigations requested of Merseyside Police in this case will be conducted under the direction of the Crown.
“The question of what further steps might be taken will be addressed upon completion of further work.”
A police spokesman said: “It is only right that Police Scotland does everything it possibly can to address these unanswered questions.
“That is why the Chief Constable has asked Merseyside Police to assess all the circumstances surrounding Kevin’s death to assist Police Scotland detectives with their review of the case.
“The tragic events surrounding Kevin’s death remain unexplained, however we are fully committed to investigating any new evidence which may come to light.”
