More forensic tests needed in Alps investigation

Tuesday 06 March 2018

The police investigation into the death of Mikus Alps is continuing with further forensic tests needed to try and work out what happened to the Latvian man, who had been living in Guernsey.

Guernsey Police say forensic tests carried out so far have been inconclusive and there'll be a delay before the next set of tests can be carried out.

Patrick Rice, Guernsey Police Chief Officer, said a forensic examination carried out in the UK on 13 February, "to try and help determine cause of death" was inconclusive. He said there is now an unavoidable delay on further tests being carried out:

"Further work is needed, with additional expert help being sourced in the UK. Due to the nature of the remains, there are very few experts in the UK who can carry out the required examination and as such the earliest opportunity for this work to be done is the end of March. We hope to be in a position to provide additional answers following receipt of the results."

Mr Rice said aspects of the police investigation are also continuing, while he has also confirmed some other facts of the case:

"I would also take this opportunity to again repeat some of the salient facts in relation to this case.

"The investigation has so far established that the remains found in the vehicle in January were that of Mikus Alps. A handwriting expert confirmed that a letter handed into police, which was sombre and reflective in content, was written by Mr Alps. Mr Alps was a supporter of a pro-Ukrainian movement and had visited the country. We are aware that Mr Alps’ Facebook account has been active since his remains were found; it is not uncommon for people to share their social media log-in details with others."

Mr Rice re-iterated again that Mr Alps known links with a freedom fighting group in Europe is not believed to be linked to his death in Guernsey in January, 2018:

"There is no evidence linking Mr Alps’ activity in Ukraine with his remains being found in a burnt-out car in Guernsey.  Investigating officers continue to have an open mind pending further forensic results."

Pictured: Mikus Alps owned this car which was found burnt out at Petit Bot in January, 2018. Inset: Patrick Rice, Chief of Police  

Mr Alps was last seen in January, the same week his car was found burnt out at Petit Bot. Skeletal remains were found inside the car and they have since been confirmed as belonging to Mr Alps. 

A letter, written by Mr Alps, was handed in to officers shortly after his remains were discovered. 

Mr Alps was 33 when he passed away, and he had been living in Guernsey for a few years by then. His mother moved to the island first and he came over to join her.

His links with European freedom fighters has been reported internationally, with the most recent reports into his death focusing on that. 

The statement issued by Guernsey Police is in Latvian below: 

Mēdiju paziņojums (Media release – Statement from Patrick Rice, Guernsey Police Chief Officer): 

Gērnsijas Policijas Priekšnieka Patrick Rice paziņojums:

"13jā Februārī Apvienotajā Karalistē tika veikta izmeklēšana lai noskaidrotu nāves cēloni. Diemžēl izmeklēšanas rezultātus uz to laiku nebija iespējams apstiprināt tādēļ ir nepieciešams veikt tālāko izmeklēšanu ar Apvienotās Karalistes ekspertu palīdzību un līdzdalību. Sakarā ar to ka Apvienotajā Karalistē ir pieejami tikai daži eksperti kuri veic šāda veida izmeklēšanu, tuvākās iespējas paveikt šo darbu būs Marta beigās. Mēs ceram ka pēc rezultātu saņemšanas mums būs iespēja sniegt nepieciešamo informāciju.

"Es vēlētos izmantot šo iespēju lai atgādinātu par nostabilizētajiem faktiem saistībā ar šo lietu. Uz šo brīdi izmeklēšana ir apstiprinājusi ka janvārī automašīnā atrastās humānās paliekas pieder Mikum Alpam. Grafoloģijas speciālists ir apstiprinājis ka nopietnā satura vēstule kura tika saņemta policijā ir Alpa kunga rakstīta. Alpa kungs bija Ukrainas neatkarības kustības atbalstītājs un personīgi ceļoja uz Ukrainu.Mēs esam lietas kursā par to ka Alpa kunga Facebook profīls bija aktīvs kopš viņa palieku atklāšanas brīža bet ir labi zināms fakts ka saita lietotāji bieži vien dalās sava profīla pieejas informācijā (paroles utt) ar citiem saita lietotājiem.

"Dotajā momentā mums nav pierādījumu ka Alpa kunga aktivitātes Ukrainā būtu saistītas ar faktu ka Gernsijā atrastajā automašīnā tika atklātas viņa sadegušās."