Murder trial begins 17 years after Dumfries mum killed on Greek island

A murder trial has begun in Crete, 17 years after a mum from Dumfries was killed on the Greek island.

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.

Jean Hanlon and her son Michael Porter Supplied

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

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

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

The trial started on Tuesday and is due to end on Friday.

First investigation

During the first enquiry, a Belgian and a Greek man were charged in connection with Jean’s death. But the charges were later dropped, and the investigation ran cold.

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

The Jean Hanlon murder trial started on Tuesday Supplied

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.