Mystery surrounds death of Kerala priest in UK, Scotland Yard CID takes over the case

Fr Martin Xavier Vazhachira went missing on June 21 His body was found on a beach 30 km from his place of residence The postmortem examination failed to establish the cause of death

Scotland Yard Crime Investigation Department (CID) took over the case of mysterious death of Kerala priest, who went missing in the UK. The postmortem examination had failed to establish the cause of the death of Fr Martin Xavier Vazhachira, who went missing on June 21. 

The priest disappeared from Edinburgh, and his body was found on a beach, 30 km from his place of residence. The release of his body will be delayed further as the probe remains inconclusive. 

Usually, it takes up to ten days to complete postmortem procedures, but the Church interfered into the issue and was able to carry out the procedure within four days. As the results failed to establish the cause of death, an expert team will review the pathology report on Monday. At the same time, they are also planning to examine more cell samples from the dead body. 

However, the body won't be released until the end of next week. Investigation team confirmed that the body could be released only after completing all possible examinations. 

The CID, which probes in a mysterious death in Scotland, has already launched a separate investigation in the case. 

Fr. Vazhachira is a native of Alappuzha and went to Scotland for pursuing higher studies.