Death of Dumfries woman in Crete 14 years ago ruled as foul play
Mother of three, Jean Hanlon, was found dead four days after she was reported missing
Greek authorities have ruled the death of a Dumfries woman in Crete 14 years ago as foul play, however there is no new evidence to reopen the investigation, leaving the victim's family still fighting for answers.
Jean Hanlon had been living in Crete for four years before she went missing in 2009, later to be found dead in a harbour in Heraklion aged 53. Post-mortem examinations stated the mother of three had drowned, however it was later suggested her injuries reflected a struggle.
Investigations into Jean Hanlon's death have been reopened several times, however the victim's family have been told the case will not be reopened this time despite the ruling of foul play. Since her death in 2009, the family have been campaigning for the case to be treated as murder.
Michael Porter, Jean Hanlon’s son, told Greatest Hits Radio News: “obviously it’s great to have this confirmation because it gives us that strength to keep fighting on and keep going back to the prosecutors to keep the case being reopened, but obviously it was a massive blow for us cause yet again, third time, the case has been closed because they haven’t been able to find the evidence. It’s frustrating, it’s infuriating.”
“I will fight until my dying day with everything that’s in my body. This just can’t be left”
“We will continue to fight like we have from day one. This is not something we’re going to give up light-heartedly. You don’t come this far and then just stop. So we will push through, we will find that new information, and make sure that the case is reopened and find out what exactly they reinvestigated”
The family issued a fresh appeal for information in 2019, ten years after Jean Hanlon's death.
The family say they are dedicated to continuing the search for information, stating they have not come this far to give up, and are keen to keep the pressure on with their campaign.