Police got death inquiry 'wrong'

Mr Gilchrist was last seen leaving the Oval Bar

A DUP member of the Policing Board has criticised the police handling of an investigation into the murder of a well-known Londonderry musician.

The body of James Gilchrist, 62, was found in the River Foyle on 28 September.

Police initially said his death was not suspicious, but on Wednesday they said they were treating it as murder.

William Hay said the police "got it wrong", which added further distress to the family. A man has been arrested.

Mr Hay, a Foyle assembly member, said: "I think the police have handled this particular case very, very badly.

"I would have to say to the police, on this occasion, they got it wrong and I believe they did add hurt to the family's grief and anguish at the time.

"If the family hadn't insisted that their father's disappearance was suspicious, I wonder would the investigation be saying now what it is saying?"

There are a number of serious questions in and round this case that the police need to answer, William Hay DUP

Mr Gilchrist was last seen leaving the Oval Bar on Duke Street in the Waterside in the early hours of 28 September, after attending a meeting of a local motorcycle club.

He was seen cycling along the bottom of John Street about ten minutes later, however, but his body was recovered from the River Foyle later that day.

Mr Hay said he would be asking a number of questions about the investigation at the next meeting of the Policing Board, which holds the chief constable to account.

"How did they get this initial investigation wrong?" he said.

"There are a number of serious questions in and round this case that the police need to answer," he said.

On Wednesday, Mr Gilchrist's family, who had always suspected he was murdered, said they could not understand why he was killed.

Mr Gilchrist's son and daughters described their father as a "caring and considerate gentleman" and a "loving husband and amazing father".

Police officers have carried out searches on the riverfront as part of their inquiry into Mr Gilchrist's death, whilst frogmen have also searched the river.

Detectives have said there were marks on the victim's body and some of his personal items were also missing.

These included his wallet and mobile phone. His racing bike still has not been found.