Family's anger at delays to review of stab death case

The family of a Fife man who died from a stab wound to the chest have hit out at delays to a review of the case by prosecutors.

Colin Marr, 23, died from a single blow from a kitchen knife in 2007 after a row with his fiancée.

His family have long challenged the original police ruling that it was suicide and a Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) forensic and pathology review which started in 2023 has still not finished.

COPFS said its inquiries were nearing completion in what it described as a complex investigation.

The 2007 police investigation concluded Colin had killed himself at his flat in Lochgelly after an argument with his fiancée Candice Bonar about his alleged infidelity.

Marr's family believe there has been a miscarriage of justice while Bonar has always maintained her innocence.

New lines of inquiry into the death were first identified in 2021 and then the forensic and pathology review was launched in May 2023.

Later that year the review was widened after a key 2012 forensic report about the stab wound was withdrawn.

Stuart Graham, Colin's stepfather, said the family had received many promises of updates and next actions but nothing had been forthcoming.

He said: "We will soon be coming up for five years since we were promised a detailed revision and we get nothing.

"Our perspective and concern is that COPFS are attempting to push this into the long grass and hope that media concern is lost.

"Is it because the issues they face point at the failings of their office and this is what is being protected?"

Graham, who handed over a cache of new material about the case to Police Scotland in 2021, added: "As always we will keep pushing. We believe they already have enough evidence to proceed."

The forensic and pathology aspects of the original investigation into Colin's death have in the past been challenged by independent experts.

Leading pathologist Dr Nat Cary has previously said it was "both possible and plausible" that Colin's injury was "inflicted by a third party", and he questioned previous police reports on the location of the stab wound.

Colin's fiancée Ms Bonar has been interviewed three times by the police and voluntarily appeared in person at the 2011 fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into his death.

At the inquiry Sheriff Alastair Dunlop said he could not decide if the death was suicide or homicide.

Speaking after the FAI, Ms Bonar said: "My name is cleared. I have always been honest and declared my innocence throughout this heart-breaking nightmare.

"What Colin did, he did to himself and that's the truth."

Both COPFS and Fife Police, now part of Police Scotland, have previously produced reports that were critical of the original investigation into Colin's death and issued apologies to his family.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner has also upheld 12 complaints over the force's handling of the case.

A spokesperson for the COPFS said: "We recognise how frustrating delays can be for those grieving the loss of a loved one and will continue to keep the family updated on significant developments in this complex investigation.

"Our inquiries are nearing completion.

"Once finalised, all of the evidence will be reviewed by an independent senior prosecutor who has had no previous involvement in the case."