Rev Martin Xavier’s autopsy in Edinburgh fails to find the cause of death

www.mangaloretoday.com

London, July 2, 2017: A postmortem examination has failed to establish the cause of the death of Rev. Martin Xavier Vazhachira, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances from Edinburgh recently. As the probe remains inconclusive, the release and repatriation of his body is delayed.

A team of experts will on July 3, Monday review once again the pathology report from the post-mortem. If the review helps to establish the reason for death, the report will be passed on to the fiscal officer (crime prevention officer in Scotland) and the body may be released.

At the same time, if more cell samples have to be examined, there will have to be more waiting.

In any case it would not be possible to send the body home this week. Even if Monday’s review helps, the body may still remain in Edinburgh until the end of next week.

The postmortem examination was made possible on Thursday after the Indian Consulate in Edinburgh contacted the fiscal officer who heads the investigation. Rev Tebin Francis, whom the CMI order of the Catholic church as well as Rev. Martin’s family have entrusted with co-ordinating procedures and receiving the body, consented to the post-mortem.

Investigators later conveyed the decision for review on July 3, and clarified that the body can be released only after that.  The criminal investigation department (CID) at Scotland Yard has launched a separate investigation. It is the CID who undertake probe into mysterious deaths.

Bishop Mar Dr. Joseph Srambikal of Syro Malabar Great Britain Diocese led a memorial mass at Edinburgh St. Catherine church on June 29. Priests from the Syro-Malabar community in Edinburgh and hundreds of devotees attended.

Special prayers and holy rites will be held for Fr. Martin on July 6 under the auspices of Edinburgh diocese. Edinburgh Archbishop Leo William Cushley will lead the prayers and holy mass at St. Mary’s Metropolitan