Crown Office to re-examine death of young man in Moray 1991

The Crown Office has decided to re-examine the death of Neil Riddel in 1991 after concerns were raised by the family

BBC News reports :

Prosecutors to re-examine death

A man's death is to be re-examined by the procurator fiscal, following concerns raised by his family.

Neil Riddel, 19, was found dead near his home in Moray in 1991. A fatal accident inquiry ruled that he had overdosed on anti-depressant tablets.

However, Mr Riddel's family rejected the suicide finding and have continued to appeal for information on his death.

Scotland's Solicitor General Frank Mulholland QC has instructed prosecutors to re-examine the evidence.

The Crown Office said witnesses would be re-interviewed, including family members, who had recently spoken with the solicitor general.

The solicitor general has commissioned this work to ensure that Neil Riddel's family have the assurance that all available evidence in the case has been fully and properly considered
Crown Office spokesman

A Crown Office spokesman said: "In the years since Neil Riddel's death, we have developed and improved how we investigate deaths and in particular how we ensure that families are kept advised and supported through what is a very difficult process for them.

"The solicitor general has commissioned this work to ensure that Neil Riddel's family have the assurance that all available evidence in the case has been fully and properly considered and that they have a clear understanding of how he died and achieve their expressed desire for closure in this difficult matter."

He added that Grampian's procurator fiscal Morag McLaughlin would prepare a report setting out all of the available evidence relating to Mr Riddel's death, "and any conclusions to be drawn from that".

Force assistance

The Crown Office spokesman added that the re-investigation would not examine how the case was handled by Grampian Police.

The force said it would help with the fresh inquiry.

A spokesman said: "Grampian Police recognises the distress that the family has experienced over a number of years in connection with Neil Riddel's death.

"We appreciate the reasons for and acknowledge the area procurator fiscal's re-examination of the evidence in the case, and will provide whatever help is required to facilitate that."

Mr Riddel was found a mile from his home at Aultmore, near Keith, at about 1000 BST on 20 July 1991.

A fatal accident inquiry was held at Elgin Sheriff Court a year later, when the sheriff ruled that death had been caused by a voluntary overdose of Prothiaden.