The external police force brought in to probe the unsolved death of a Caithness man has made its first public appeal for information.
Kevin Mcleod, a 24-year-old electrician from Wick, went out in the town with a friend on Friday February 7, 1997.
He was last seen in the early hours of Saturday, February 8, and was discovered dead in Wick Harbour at 11am on Sunday, February 9.
Now, in the run-up to the 23rd anniversary of his death, Merseyside Police is appealing for information in relation to his death.
Mr Mcleod’s family has provided the force with the names of the people they believe responsible for inflicting his injuries in the hope of finally finding justice.
The English force is reviewing the investigation, on behalf of Police Scotland, and with guidance from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service.
Mr Mcleod’s family has always believed he was murdered and has been fighting for answers since the tragedy.
Police Scotland finally admitted that they had failed to follow an instruction by the then fiscal to investigate the death as murder.
Last year the COPFS invited Merseyside Police to review the original investigation by Northern Constabulary.
The family hope that at the conclusion of this probe Merseyside Police will instruct the crown to launch a murder inquiry.
A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: “Kevin is described as 5ft 9in tall, athletic build with short brown hair and he was clean shaven. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with LEVI written in white across the chest, blue denim jeans and black Caterpillar boots. He wasn’t wearing a coat even though it was a very windy February night.
“Anyone who has any information, that has not previously been provided that may be relevant to assist the review, is asked to contact Merseyside Police.”
A statement provided by Mr McLeod’s family said: “Someone, somewhere, knows who was responsible for Kevin’s death and the family would urge them to please come forward. In the years since Kevin’s death people’s circumstances, allegiances and lifestyles may have changed, and our appeal today is for those people who know anything, saw anything, or heard anything at the time to please search your conscience and call or write to Merseyside police even if you had contacted the local police previously.
“Please help the family and Merseyside Police put those responsible for Kevin’s death behind bars, so that the family can finally get justice, and that Kevin can finally rest in peace. In simple terms, we need to know, who killed Kevin?”
“We hope that with the help of the local community by providing information to Merseyside police will ensure that those responsible are finally arrested and charged with Kevin’s death – after 23 years all we pray for now is justice, accountability and closure.”
