Cold-case cops descend on village to try to solve six-year-old ‘murder’
DETECTIVES have begun doorto-door inquiries into the death of a 25-year-old man – more than six years after police ruled that he had taken his own life.
Stefan Sutherland’s body was found on the shoreline at Occumster, Caithness, on September 17, 2013 – 11 days after he went missing from nearby Lybster.
An investigation at the time concluded he had committed suicide. But his parents, Sandy and Sandra, maintain that their ‘popular’ son was murdered.
Now, after repeated calls from the family, detectives have launched a review into the case ‘with an open mind’.
Mr Sutherland, 75, said: ‘I’m delighted they have decided to give it the proper attention. The initial police investigation was a farce. We feel, this time, at least someone is listening to us.’
The past six years had been ‘hellish’ for the family, and he remained convinced that his son had no reason to take his own life.
‘He was an extravert. He loved life,’ Mr Sutherland added. ‘Hopefully this time we will get a satisfactory resolution. We’re not going to get Stefan back, but this has been like a cloud hanging over us.’
Police chiefs last year said they would review ‘all aspects’ of the first inquiry. Around 15 officers from the major investigations team yesterday spoke to locals in Lybster and nearby Latheronwheel, where Mr Sutherland lived.
Detective Superintendent Graeme Mackie, who is leading the review,
‘Four different pathology reports’
said inquiries were at an ‘early stage’ and ‘it was difficult to speculate how this will develop’.
He added that officers want to ascertain what happened in the days between Mr Sutherland’s disappearance and the discovery of his body. Officers, who are all ‘independent to the previous investigation’ hope to speak to people who may have been missed during the initial inquiries and those who could hold new information.
Mr Mackie added that the review will also involve ‘other aspects of the inquiry’, including forensics.
A mobile police unit has been set up in Lybster for anyone wishing to speak to officers.
Mrs Sutherland said ‘more than one person’ must know what happened to her son.
She added: ‘It’s never too late.
What we’re really hoping for is a conviction. We don’t think he had any reason to take his own life.’
Mr Sutherland’s sister, Katrina, called the review ‘the best news we have had for six years’.
She added: ‘We don’t know what happened to Stefan, we have four different pathology reports.
‘The family believe he was a victim of foul play but we need to get to the bottom of that and be able to deal with it once and for all.
‘Police are still conducting inquiries. If that leads them to believe that foul play is a factor then I dare say they will turn it into a murder investigation.’