Bungled police searches left family to find weapon that killed their daughter

POLICE have apologised to a murder victim's family who found a weapon that officers missed during two searches.

Donna Forrest, 30, was killed by jilted boyfriend Philip Fraser in a hammer and knife attack at her home in Balintore, Easter Ross.

Officers from Northern Constabulary discovered the hammer used in the attack during forensic searches of the house but failed to find the kitchen knife.

Weeks later, Ms Forrest's horrified family found the knife behind a microwave oven just yards from where her body was discovered in a pool of blood on the kitchen floor.

The force is conducting an internal inquiry into the case and has apologised to the family for the error. It is believed Chief Inspector Matthew Reiss, the area commander for Easter Ross, visited the family to apologise in person.

A police source said: "This is really just beyond belief and has totally angered and embarrassed the top brass. They have instigated a full investigation into the incident and several heads may roll as a result.

"Two searches were carried out. The first was by scenes-of-crime officers, including a forensic team, then uniformed officers went in once this search had been completed.

"The place was then cleaned up to allow the victim's family access to the house about three to four weeks later.

"But then they came across the bloodstained knife hidden by the microwave oven on a worktop in the kitchen, just above where Donna was stabbed to death.

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"This is a total embarrassment to the force. It calls into question every search carried out by officers following major incidents."

A force spokeswoman said yesterday: "Northern Constabulary has conducted a thorough review of the case, which includes the circumstances surrounding the discovery of an item from the scene after forensic examination. An internal investigation is ongoing and appropriate steps have been taken by the force to address specific officer skills in this regard.

"The force recognises this particular factor fell short of its otherwise high investigative standards."

Ms Forrest's parents, Margo and Kenny, who live less than a mile away in the village of Hilton, refused to comment.

Fraser, who had previously been given a life sentence in 1997 for murdering his ex-wife, had been free on licence for just over two years when he killed Ms Forrest, who had a 10-year-old daughter, after finding her with another man.

The pair became friends after Fraser moved to the area on being released from prison.They later separated but friends soon became concerned that she was being stalked and pestered by Fraser.

On the day of the murder, Fraser saw his ex-girlfriend as they drank separately in a pub and his jealousy developed into a rage that led him to get a claw hammer, which he used to smash his way into the house. He then repeatedly bludgeoned and stabbed Ms Forrest.

She suffered seven hammer blows to her head and 15 stab wounds to her head and body.

Fraser was jailed for 20 years at the High Court in Edinburgh in July after admitting murder.