The parents of two Scots who died abroad are set to meet in a bid to help each other finally find justice.
Craig Mallon was killed by a single lethal blow after being set upon outside a nightclub in Spain's Lloret de Mar, while Kirsty Maxwell died after plunging 100ft from the 10th floor of an apartment block in Benidorm while on a hen do.
Both families are still searching for answers, and will now meet in Glasgow at an upcoming crime convention as they continue their fight to find closure.
Crimecon is coming to the city in September and will look to shine a light on some of Scotland’s most prolific criminal cases, as well as help to provide a platform for victims and families seeking justice.
A group of men, believed to be French, attacked Craig and his friends outside Rockefellers Bar in 2012.
While Kirsty died after she left her room at the Apartamentos Payma complex.
The 27-year old then plunged to her death, leaving her parents Brian and Denise Curry desperate for answers.
In an exclusive interview with the Glasgow Times, Craig’s dad Ian said he hoped the families could find solace in each other's heartache - as well as sharing information that may help to get justice.
He said: “I’ve spoken to Kirsty’s parents in the past and given some advice from the experience we have of trying to solve Craig’s murder, but it will be good to meet face-to-face.
“We both know what it is like to be desperate for answers. It's been a long anxious wait and the Spanish authorities don’t have much appetite to help with Craig or Kirsty’s case.
“We are planning to meet up at Crimecon and spend some time together. I can relate to what they are going through and know only too well what it’s like to be left in limbo waiting for the wheels of the Spanish justice system to slowly turn.”
We previously revealed how not seeing his son's killers brought to justice has left the heartbroken father devasted.
In an exclusive interview last week, he revealed that the impact of his son's death had a serious impact on his own health.
He told how he had suffered two heart attacks, a stroke and undergone spinal surgery that left him in a wheelchair for 20 months as his health crumbled.
He said: "Not having any closure is slowly killing me.
“It’s been 10 years since my son was murdered and I still don’t have justice."
Ian’s wife Antoinette passed away in 2018 after a battle with lung cancer. Ian says the 46-year-old 'gave up' Craig's death and went to her grave broken by not seeing justice served.
Both families have blasted Spanish police for their lack of action as they search for answers.
Retired Strathclyde Police detective David Swindle has been helping them for several years and went on to set up Victims Abroad.
He added: “The parents of Kirsty will be speaking about the complications of when someone loses a loved one to homicide or unresolved circumstances abroad. I hope these families can find some comfort from meeting."
For more details, visit crimecon.co.uk/glasgow.
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