Man charged in 'massive victory' for family of Scots mum killed on Greek island

A man has been charged in connection with the murder of a Dumfries mum in 2009 on the Greek island of Crete.

Jean Hanlon moved to the village of Kato Gouves in 2005 and disappeared during a night out on March 9, 2009.

The 53-year-old’s body was pulled from the water at the Heraklion Harbour four days later.

Coroners initially ruled Jean’s death an accidental drowning before a second post-mortem was carried out following family intervention.

It was then concluded that the mum-of-three had been killed.

First investigation

During the first enquiry, a Belgian and a Greek man were charged in connection, but the charges were later dropped, and the case ran cold.

Michael Porter and Jean Hanlon. Supplied

Over the last 16 years, the homicide case has been opened four times, with the final investigation beginning in 2023.

A private investigator, named Haris Veramon, was hired by Jean’s family. He compiled evidence, some gathered from the mum’s diary, which had been kept up-to-date until the day prior to her disappearance, regarding a potential suspect.

The information was handed over to the Heraklion Prosecutor’s Office.

A 54-year-old man from Crete, Jean’s former partner, was summoned for deposition in January 2025 and was subsequently released under restrictive conditions.

Jean Hanlon went missing in 2009 Supplied

Greek officials believed there was not enough evidence for the accused to stand trial, but appeal judges at Heraklion Judicial Council ruled that a date would be set.