Spanish authorities decide to keep Kirsty Maxwell case open

The family of Livingston woman Kirsty Maxwell - who died in Benidorm after falling from a balcony - have been told her case will remain open.

Authorities in Spain met today to decide whether or not to bring their investigation to an end.

Relatives, including husband Adam, met their Spanish lawyer Miguel Zumaquero on Friday after he flew specially to Scotland for the first time to update the family on the progress of the investigation.

Family representative and ex-detective David Swindle says Kirsty’s parents and husband remain desperate for answers.

He said: “You can never be confident that you’ll get a resolution, but I would like to think that everything is being done here.

“The big thing is: the case is open. The family and the David Swindle team have the current case file now, and that gives us a chance to look at it and assess what there is.

“Kirsty’s family and other families who lose loved ones abroad to homicide or unexplained deaths should not have to do their own investigations. They should be getting the best support possible.”

Newlywed Kirsty fell to her death from the tenth floor of the apartment where she was staying after a hen night on April 29.

Daniel Bailey, 32, Ricky Gammon, 31, Joseph Graham, 32, Anthony Holehouse, 34 and Callum Northridge, 27 – who are all all from Nottingham – were in flat 10E in the Apartamentos Payma block when Kirsty walked in by mistake.

In a radio exclusive on Friday, lawyer Miguel Zumaquero said he was confident the family would eventually get closure.

He said: “I feel optimistic. It’s a difficult case but at the end of the day, we are in a really good position with respect to the beginning.

“We are going to continue investigating the case. The prosecutor in Spain has agreed to continue with the investigation, so step by step.”

Kirsty’s husband Adam admitted the effects of the investigation were taking their toll on him.

He said: “Days like today when you go through every last detail – and I mean everything – is very difficult. It’s very emotional to do that on a continual basis.

“But I want what’s best for Kirsty, and whether it’s selfish or not, me and the family need answers. We need to know what happened.

“It’s good news that the case is remaining open. But we still don’t know how long it’ll take, so all we can do is be as co-operative as we can.

“The Spanish legal system is very different to ours. I’m still struggling to understand how certain aspects of it work.