No DNA tests on clothes of Spain death fall woman
● Woman fell from Spanish apartment ● ‘Serious shortcomings’ in investigation
The clothes worn by a West Lothian woman who fell to her death from a Benidorm apartment block were allegedly not tested for DNA before being destroyed by Spanish police.
The family of Kirsty Maxwell have slammed “serious shortcomings” in the investigation into the death of the 27-year-old from Livingston.
Mrs Maxwell died after falling from the tenth floor of the Apartamentos Payma hotel on 29 April.
Her husband described the decision to destroy her clothes without proper tests as“shocking ”.
The family of a West Lothian woman who fell to her death from a Benidorm apartment block said they were shocked her clothes were destroyed after her autopsy.
Kirsty Maxwell’s husband Adam spoke during a press conference yesterday about the family’s heartbreak at losing the 27-year-old from Livingston.
The family, including her mum Denise and dad Brian, condemned the actions of Spanish authorities following her death on 29 April.
David Swindell, 63, a former policeman and independent reviewer, said: “It’s nine months since Kirsty Maxwell sadly died.
“The same questions have been asked by Kirsty’s family for the last nine months. And these questions have all been unanswered.
“The clothing worn by Kirsty was not tested for DNA and was destroyed by the Spanish forensic pathology department.
“That in itself indicates serious shortcomings in the investigation.”
Mrs Maxwell fell from the tenth floor of the Apartamentos Payma hotel.
Four British men who were in the hotel room on the night of her death were questioned as part of the inquiry.
A fifth British man was arrested, but later released.
The Spanish authorities took no action against the men who were quizzed and they were allowed to come home to the UK.
Adam Maxwell said: “On Friday we got this shocking news about Kirsty’s clothing.
“It’s not the first instance when we’ve been shocked by something in regards to the case.
“It’s very sad for us as a family and shocking.
“This is another thing we’ve been let down by the Spanish authorities. For them to treat Kirsty’s death in this way, we cannot accept it.
“It does beg the question if Kirsty was to die in the UK would this be different and I think we are all in agreement that this would be the case.
“The clothing was a massive one and to finally have that answer that we have is a complete let down.”
The family had won the right earlier this month for answers about the whereabouts of the pink T-shirt and denim skirt Mrs Maxwell was wearing when she died.
Mrs Maxwell’s father had hired a top criminologist in a bid to find out more details surrounding his daughter’s tragic death.
Investigator Felix Rios, who had asked for a fresh investigation to look into DNA, blood and CCTV, was pushing for a reconstruction of Mrs Maxwell’s final moments in the flat and for other hotel guests to be interviewed.