The household of a Gomeroi man whose suspicious loss of life has by no means been solved have welcomed a doubling of the police reward for info resulting in a breakthrough within the case.
Mark Haines was simply 17-years-old when he was found by a prepare conductor within the early hours of January 16, 1988 with solely a spot of blood and a towel discovered below his head.
Police investigators prompt that Mr Haines willingly or by accident ended up on the railway, however his household have at all times maintained their perception there was foul play.
Haines’ uncle, Don Craigie, mentioned he was “hopeful” the reward’s enhance would incentivise anybody with info to come back ahead.
“Regardless of how minute it could seem, it might be the essential piece of this puzzle,” he advised NITV.
“I consider there’s just one piece [remaining], and it is virtually prepared to enter place.”
35 years of calling for justice
Uncle Don Craigie believes he’s getting near discovering the ultimate piece of the puzzle to resolve the heartbreaking thriller of his nephew Mark Haines’ loss of life. Credit score: Karen Michelmore, NITV
Mr Craigie has tirelessly advocated for one more inquest into his Mark’s loss of life because the preliminary investigation in 1989 returned an open discovering.
Yearly since then, Mr Craigie has journeyed to Tamworth Police Station on the anniversary of his nephew’s passing to name for a recent inquiry.
“For my total household, we have had ache and struggling all these years. I am very disenchanted within the preliminary investigations that passed off as a result of I daresay a lot proof was misplaced in these preliminary investigations.”
In February, his efforts have been rewarded with , to be held in 2024.
He dismissed recommendations of non-public vindication, saying that he was pushed by guarantees made to his household.
“To Mark’s dad and mom and to his grandmother, my mum, I mentioned to all of the household, ‘You go on together with your lives. I am going to cope with this.’
“I am very a lot inspired that the data that might be offered within the inquiry might be … the piece that has been lacking for 35 years.”