The body of Jean Hanlon, from Dumfries, was found in the water in Crete’s Heraklion on March 13, 2009.
A man is to stand trial next week for the ‘murder’ of a Scots woman found dead in Greece. The body of Jean Hanlon was found in the water in Crete’s Heraklion on March 13, 2009, four days after disappearing during a night out
After a long fight for answers, a Greek man known to Jean was finally set to stand trial on Friday accused of murdering the 53-year-old from Dumfries. He denies any involvement.
But her three sons were left stunned by a “massive setback” in the case after travelling out to Crete together for the first time since the tragedy to watch the man accused of killing her face court after it was postponed last minute.
The trial will now take place on Tuesday, according to BBC News, at Lassithi Criminal Court in Neapoli.
With just three days until the case was set to start, son Michael learned of the devastating delay at a court hearing as his brothers David and Robert were preparing to board their flights.
The family understands the accused had just recently instructed a lawyer who required more time to prepare the case. Jean’s sons were all in court in Neapoli in Crete for the hearing.
Michael, 40, said: “The courts should have alerted us to this. They must have known he’s no had a lawyer for all that time.
“We’ve had the expense of travelling out here and taken the time off work, which is just the superficial things, but it’s also the mental preparation it has taken… It just shows how the victims are being treated yet again.”
Ms Hanlon moved to Crete in 2005, working in bars and restaurants in the coastal resort of Kato Gouves. Her death was initially reported as a drowning, but a second post mortem suggested she had injuries consistent with a struggle. The examination found a catalogue of injuries including a broken neck, punctured lung and shattered rib.
Jean’s family have faced a series of setbacks in their battle for justice ever since.
The case was “archived” by local authorities in 2018 but in 2021, police confirmed a third probe into Jean’s case.
The case was passed to the Greek Department of Organised Crime, which concluded that a crime took place which led to Jean’s death.
A report from private investigator Haris Flaskouni was then passed on to prosecuting authorities last year, which finally led to a major breakthrough.
Haris Flaskounis’s investigation had focused on the contents of Jean’s diary, which she wrote in every day and led to him befriending the suspect in the case and securing vital information which led to the prosecution.
A 54-year-old man who is originally from Crete is understood to have been charged in January last year. However, in August the case was thrown into doubt over claims of insufficient evidence from Greek officials.
But the family’s legal team confirmed appeal judges at Heraklion Judicial Council had ruled that the man would stand trial for Jean’s murder.
Michael said the development had given the family hope after 17 years, saying: “We never thought we would get to this point. It is a victory but we’ve not won the war. We might get the closure we need, to finally let Mum rest.”
Get Daily Record Premium for just £1 per month in exclusive offer to celebrate the world cup. Click HERE.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login