Cyprus police have responded to a British family’s claims that they discovered a missing heart only after their loved one’s body was repatriated, insisting that relatives had been notified that the organ was being examined following a post mortem.
The response follows a report in The Sun in which Yvonne Graley said she was horrified to learn that her husband Michael’s heart had not been returned with his body. Michael Graley, 76, died suddenly while on holiday in Cyprus after suffering severe leg cramping and collapsing shortly after arriving at Paralimni General Hospital.
‘He’s dead’’ [Photo Credit: The Sun, Credit: Benjamin Wareing]
When his remains were flown back to the UK, a second post mortem ordered by the Rochdale coroner revealed that the heart was not present. The UK coroner’s office confirmed its investigation remains ongoing, according to The Sun.
Speaking to The Sun, the widow described the discovery as devastating and said the family had been left without answers. Their daughter Hayley also questioned why they had not been made aware of the organ’s removal at any point during the process.
However, Cyprus Police, speaking to Politis rejected any suggestion that the family had been kept in the dark. Commenting on reports in the British press, police spokesperson Vyronas Vyronos, told Politis that the family of the deceased was informed immediately after the completion of the post mortem that vital organs, including the heart, had been held for examination as part of the medical investigation into the cause of death. Local authorities said the organ was retained for further analysis, a routine procedure in cases where pathologists require additional testing.
The Rochdale coroner is continuing to work with Cypriot officials while the Graley family awaits clarification on why the heart was removed, where it is now and why communication broke down between the two countries.
A formal cause of death is still pending.