A man who faced charges for the murder of his former partner in Edinburgh has died while in custody at HMP Edinburgh. Lee Greenan, 46, was found deceased at the prison on Sunday morning, according to Police Scotland. His death comes just days after he was accused of killing Vikki Soloman at a property on Craigievar Square.
Ms Soloman, 44, was discovered with severe injuries at the Edinburgh address on Monday evening and was pronounced dead at the scene. Greenan was subsequently charged in connection with her death. The incident sent shockwaves through the local community as details emerged earlier this week.
Police Scotland confirmed the circumstances of Greenan's death, stating: "Around 08:55 on Sunday, we were made aware of the death of a 46-year-old man at HMP Edinburgh. There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal." This indicates that foul play is not suspected in his passing.
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) also issued a statement regarding the death, highlighting the tragic nature of any loss of life within their care. A spokesperson for the SPS said: "Every death, whether in prison custody or in our communities, is a tragedy for all those who knew and supported the individual." They further explained that standard procedure involves advising Police Scotland and reporting the matter to the Procurator Fiscal, with Fatal Accident Inquiries typically held in due course.
The death of a suspect while awaiting trial can have significant implications for ongoing legal proceedings. While the immediate murder investigation into Ms Soloman's death would have led to Greenan's charge, his passing means the criminal trial against him will not proceed. However, the wider circumstances surrounding both deaths will now be subject to independent scrutiny by the relevant authorities.