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Police confirm identity of bones in burnt out car

Police confirm identity of bones in burnt out car

Tuesday 23 January 2018

Police confirm identity of bones in burnt out car

Tuesday 23 January 2018


Guernsey Police say forensic tests have confirmed the skeletal remains found in a burnt out car did belong to Mikus Alps.

In a statement, Chief Officer Patrick Rice said DNA samples had proven the deceased is 33-year-old Mr Alps.

Mr Alps was last seen on Monday 8 January. The same day a car registered to him was found burnt out at Petit Bot. 

Later that week Guernsey Police confirmed human remains had been found in the vehicle along with a shotgun. At a media press conference to address the investigation, Mr Rice also confirmed a letter purporting to be from Mr Alps had been handed in to investigating officers.

Alps

Pictured: Mr Alps burnt out car. Inset: Head of Law Enforcement, Patrick Rice

In a statement released today, Mr Rice said: "Following forensic examination of DNA samples retrieved from human remains found in a car near Petit Bot on Monday 8 January, we can confirm the identity of the deceased is Mikus Alps. Family liaison officers continue to support Mr Alps’ mother during this difficult time. The cause of death has not yet been determined and the pathologist from the Home Office intends to carry out further tests in the UK within the next week, subject to availability.

"The letter purporting to be from Mr Alps, which was sombre and reflective in content, was sent to the UK on Thursday for analysis from a handwriting expert. The result of this analysis is likely to take several weeks. Officers continue to have an open mind in relation to this investigation, although I would again repeat that at this stage there is no evidence linking Mr Alps’ activity in Ukraine with his car being found burnt-out in Guernsey".

Alps

Pictured: International media coverage of Mr Alps disappearance

Mr Alps was known to have links with freedom fighters in Ukraine and is believed to have travelled to the country regularly to fight.

Mr Alps is believed to have moved to Guernsey in 2005, after his mother had already moved to the island. He is known to have had many friends locally having been involved with the motor trade.

The full statement from Guernsey Police  is below In English and Latvian:

Mikus Alps statement

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