Family of Jean Hanlon make desperate appeal to prosecutors as charges against suspect could be dropped
The family of a Scots mum who died on a Greek island have made a desperate appeal to prosecutors as charges against their prime suspect could be dropped.
Jean Hanlon's body was found in Heraklion harbour in 2009. Her three sons have always believed Jean, 53, from Dumfries, was murdered.
Last year, her family hired private investigator Haris Fluskounis who used details of her diary to identify a potential suspect, who was known to Jean, and passed his findings to Greek prosecutors.
The 54-year-old suspect, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was charged with manslaughter in January.
Earlier this month the family were dealt a bitter blow when they were told the case is unlikely to go to trial after the lead prosecutor said she considered there to be insufficient evidence.
Last week, Jean's family submitted a appeal to the Cretan prosecution authorities asking them to reconsider.
Jean's son Michael, 40, who lives and works in London, said: 'We have appealed the prosecutors proposal as she has completely discounted and has selectively evaluated the evidence provided.
'Reading the memorandum, it is impossible to even consider anyone else as a suspect. The evidence is so strong there is no doubt this man needs to be brought to trial.
'For 16 years we have fought for justice and for 16 years he has walked free. Mum needs justice, she needs peace and her voice needs to be heard. The dead cannot cry out for justice. It is a duty of the living to do so for them. I will continue to fight and push with everything I have, no matter what.'
Jean moved to the village of Kato Gouves four years before her death to start a new life. She went missing on March 9, 2009, after a night out.
In the hours before her death, she'd spoken to friends on the phone after meeting a man at a bar and later sent a final text to a pal saying 'help'. Four days later, her body was pulled from the harbour.
An initial post-mortem examination ruled the mother of three had drowned but a new probe suggested her injuries had been caused by a struggle. Police decided to re-examine the case in 2019 when a documentary in Greece highlighted her sons' search for justice.
But that investigation was wound down after no new evidence was found. Last year, investigator Haris was called in and he handed a dossier to prosecutors.
From details in her diary, it's alleged the potential suspect had became possessive and began stalking Jean after the end of their brief association.
Family lawyer Apostolos Xiritakis said: 'We hope and believe the council of judges, that will decide weather to send him to court or not, eventually will agree with us and send him to court.'
Investigator Haris said: 'The Jean case is at a critical juncture.'
The Sunday Mail contacted Greek authorities and police for comment.
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