Trial breakthrough gives Carl’s family hope for justice

Relatives plan to travel to island for hearing

The family of murdered former teacher Carl Davies hope they will get justice at the trial next year.

Mr Davies, whose parents lived in Harrietsham, was found dead on Reunion Island five years ago.

It was initially thought the 33-year-old had fallen into a ravine, however, a week later it was revealed he had been murdered.

Since then, his parents Andy and Maria and sister Kerrie Stewart have been left with countless unanswered questions but have never given up hope of securing justice for Carl.

Mrs Stewart said they heard on Tuesday the trial would be on June 21.

“There were three men charged with murder but we do not know if all three are going to be on trial,” she said. “They’re working hard to clarify that and we’re hoping for news soon.

“It’s good to get the ball rolling. We’ve waited such a long time, so it’s nice to get a breakthrough.”

The family, who now live in Scotland, plan to make the trip to the French-administered Indian Ocean island for the trial.

“We’ve never been out there,” she added. “We never wanted to be in this position.

“I need to go, I need to get closure, I need to see where my brother took his last steps.

“I have images in my head and you can Google all you like but you’ve never seen it until you’ve been there.”

On seeing the suspects charged with Carl’s murder, she added: “I want to look them in the eye and ask ‘Why?’ Hopefully we will get that chance in June.”

This June, they were devastated when they heard two of the three men charged would not face trial after being released due to lack of evidence.

Carl’s dad, Andy, added: “We can’t say too much at this stage because the case is pending and we don’t want to mess it up.

“We’re definitely going out there for the trial. We haven’t taken our foot off the pedal all this time and haven’t given up hope.

“We’ve got a date to focus on now and that’s what we’re looking to.”