"Sombre letter" was written by Mikus Alps

Friday 09 February 2018

The letter handed in to Guernsey Police after Mikus Alps car was found burnt out has been confirmed as having been written by him.

Detailed forensic tests have been carried out in the UK to confirm he wrote the note which was described by officers investigating his disappearance as "sombre and reflective in nature."

In an updated statement from Patrick Rice, Guernsey Police Chief Officer, today, it was suggested the letter was a form of last will and testament with information given about his possessions.

Mr Rice's statement said: 

"We have received confirmation from a UK handwriting expert that the letter handed into police, which was sombre and reflective in nature and gave detailed instructions relating to Mr Alps’ possessions, was written by Mr Alps."

Mr Alps car was found burnt out at Petit Bot on Monday 8 January, the same day he was last seen. Later that week it was confirmed skeletal remains had been found in the car and they have since been confirmed through DNA testing as being Mr Alps' remains.

Mr Rice said further tests are still to be carried out on his bones:

"A further forensic examination is due to take place on 13 February in the UK, to try and help determine cause of death. This was the earliest date this examination could be carried out, as the UK Home Office Pathologist requested the presence and input of an additional expert. It is hoped that we will have further information after that work has been completed."

Pictured: Mr Alps car, found burnt out at Petit Bot. Inset: Head of Guernsey Law Enforcement, Patrick Rice

Mr Alps disappearance and confirmed death sparked widespread comments on social media when it was also confirmed he had links to freedom fighters in Europe.

Mr Rice has again said the two situations are not being linked by Guernsey Police: 

"Following the result of the handwriting examination, 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."

Pictured above: Mikus Alps