Man questioned over 2009 death of woman in Crete

The family of a woman from Dumfries who died in Greece 16 years ago say authorities have questioned a man in connection with her death.

Jean Hanlon's body was recovered from the sea off Heraklion on the island of Crete days after she disappeared in 2009.

Her family, led by son Michael Porter, hired a private investigator who identified a potential suspect and passed his findings to police.

BBC Scotland News has not received independent confirmation the suspect has been questioned from Greek officials.

Mr Porter said the man had a short relationship with his mother, but that it had ended at her request.

He said he had been questioned by the magistrate in Heraklion last Tuesday and had been released on certain conditions.

A fourth probe into Ms Hanlon's death was opened last June after Mr Porter passed a 24-page report from the private investigator to authorities.

He said it had "answered a lot of unanswered questions" and identified a man who was with her on the night she went missing.

Mr Porter told BBC Scotland News he had "mixed emotions" about the latest developments in the case, but said the family felt they were edging closer to getting justice for their mother.

"We're moving so much in the right direction," he said. "The family are super happy, we're still nervous because we've had 16 years of ups and downs.

"But it doesn't look like we are ever going to be stepping down from this and we're going all the way.

"It's an emotional, overwhelming feeling that finally we could get the justice our mum deserves and finally lay her to rest."

Ms Hanlon, who was 53, had been living in the village of Kato Gouves, about 12 miles (19km) from Heraklion for a number of years and had worked in bars and tavernas.

Her body was discovered on 13 March 2009, four days after she went missing.

An initial post-mortem determined the mother-of-three had drowned, but a re-examination later suggested injuries consistent with a struggle after the case was reopened in 2019.

That followed a television documentary, but failed to secure any breakthrough in the investigation.

A fresh appeal on the Greek equivalent of Crimewatch in 2020 also failed to yield any new information.

In 2021, specialist officers working as part of a unit investigating organised crime also investigated to no avail, though did rule it was "foul play".

Mr Porter said the questioning of the man was the "biggest breakthrough" in the case in 16 years.

He said the family were now confirming next steps with their lawyer and the authorities in Crete.

Mr Porter said he had confidence in the Greek system, adding it would be "life-changing" if it moved forward to trial.

"For years you think 'am I going to have to give up' because there is nothing else we can do," he said.

"It is going to be life-changing. First of all, it is about our mum and her justice, but this is nearly two decades of our life and of course we chose to fight for it, but it is amazing how much it does consume of you.

"So it would be amazing just to finally let her rest and allow us, the family as individuals, to fully process that and properly grieve."