'I'm unable to get any closure': Mum of tragic Rhys Bonner still waiting for Pirc probe answers TWO YEARS on

Stephanie Bonner says she’s been 'left in limbo' as she waits for the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (Pirc) findings and told the Glasgow Times that the lack of progress is taking a serious toll on her health.

Her son Rhys, 19, was discovered lifeless in marshland between Easterhouse and Gartloch Village on August 8, 2019.

His death certificate says "unascertained" - with Stephanie claiming that she hasn't even been told exactly where his body was found.

Police Scotland claim the death was fully investigated and ruled not suspicious.

Rhys Bonner

Stephanie, 39, said: “I just want to know exactly what happened to my son and to have my concerns about how police conducted themselves addressed.

"The complaint to the Pirc was made over two-and-a-half years ago and I’m still waiting on an outcome. I would like to know why it has taken so long.

"I need answers about how Police Scotland handled Rhys’ death and exactly where his half-naked body was found 15 days after he went missing.

"I can’t even go and put flowers on the place he died because we don't know the exact location. It’s tearing me apart not knowing what happened to my beautiful boy. No mother should have to go through this kind of torment.

"The person who is handling my complaint at Pirc has had an inordinate amount of time to reach a conclusion. At the end of the day, we are a grieving family, and this is just causing more hurt. I'm unable to get any closure."

To mark the third anniversary of her son's death, family friend and community activist Alex O’Kane staged a protest about the time it is taking to get Stephanie's complaint resolved.

Using chalk, he wrote the name 'Rhys Bonner' outside police stations in Maryhill, Pitt Street, London Road, Saracen Street and Stuart Street.

The bold message was also scrawled outside Glasgow Sheriff Court, George Square and a number of other locations across the city.

The outcome of the Police Scotland investigation was that his death was not suspicious. The force insist that the death was fully investigated.

Alex submitted a letter to Pirc in March 2020 on Stephanie's behalf.

It said: “All trust and faith has been lost with the officers involved."

Alex, who has been tirelessly campaigning for answers for the family, told the Glasgow Times: “We don’t want Rhys to be forgotten and his mum deserves answers. Two-and-a-half years is an awfully long time to wait for the outcome of the complaint against police.

“The family doesn’t have any closure and feel very frustrated by the lack of progress, understandably so. Stephanie should know exactly where her son's body was found, but we appear to be met with a wall of silence.

“The Bonners have been put through enough and this is just adding to their anguish. We will continue to campaign until we know exactly what happened to Rhys."

Mum-of-five Stephanie says her world has been shattered by her son’s passing and that it has had a devasting impact on her health.

She describes Rhys as a "loving and caring teen who had a bright future ahead of him".

Stephanie added: "My health has suffered since he died. It’s as if my body just can’t cope with the stress of it all.

"I struggle to walk sometimes now, and I can’t sleep for thinking about Rhys in his last moments. Not knowing what happened to him is slowly killing me.

"Alex has been a fantastic support to us through all of this. Without him, I don't know where we would be.

"Rhys had everything to live for and doted on his siblings. He was caring and always happy-go-lucky, a good lad, and he never once brought any trouble to my door. I keep playing over in my mind the last time I saw him and every time I close my eyes, I see his face.

“We miss him every day. Our lives have been torn apart by this."

The family has installed a memorial bench for Rhys in their garden and marked his third anniversary by releasing balloons and lighting a lantern.

Stephanie added: “Every year that passes just gets harder and harder. I know Rhys will be looking down at us telling us to stay strong.

"He was the kind of boy who put everyone before himself, but I won't rest until I know what happened and until police answer to how they conducted themselves."

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A complaint about the police into the death of Rhys Bonner was fully investigated and the findings were provided to his family.

"Our sympathies remain with Stephanie Bonner and her family and friends. An offer to meet them was made at the conclusion of the investigation by the Professional Standards Department and that remains open.

"We understand that an appeal against these findings was lodged with the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner therefore we are unable to comment further."

A spokeswoman for Pirc added: “We have received an application for a Complaint Handling Review in this case. The review is currently ongoing. We have provided the applicant’s representative with updates regarding the progress of the review."