Son waits to bury his mum four months on

Marie Reid was last seen alive on November 11.

Marie Reid was last seen alive on November 11, four days before her body was found at her house in Drylaw, and a post-mortem ruled the cause of death was "inconclusive".

An 18-year-old man was later charged with raping Mrs Reid, 62, and the procurator fiscal has not released her body for burial while the inquiry continues.

Her son, Paul, 30, has been forced to postpone plans to lay his mother to rest in a plot next to his late father as he struggles to come to terms with her mysterious death. A Crown Office spokesman said the family was being kept informed, but added that Mrs Reid's body will only be released when investigations are complete.

Forensic experts spent days examining Mrs Reid's home in Easter Drylaw Way following the discovery of her body.

Mr Reid, a security officer who lives in Ferry Road, said: "It's been a very stressful time. I don't blame the Crown Office because they're just doing their job, but it seems to be taking a long time.

"The Crown Office have been speaking to me about it and they said to expect a bit more delay. It's because there are still inquiries going on about how my mum died.

"I've been speaking to the CID officers about the case all the time and they aren't happy with the delay. They want it sorted out too, but they have to wait on the Crown Office.

"My mum was ill when she died as she suffered from emphysema but although she wasn't well, it wasn't bad enough for her to pass away at that age. It was a massive shock when I found out she had died.

"I just want to be able to have the funeral and try to move on. I've already paid for it.

"Putting her to rest on the same plot as my dad in Bo'ness will hopefully give me a bit of closure."

Mrs Reid suffered chest problems and used a walking frame for short trips to local shops. Norman Smiles, who had known Mrs Reid since they were both 12 years old and was once engaged to her, said the long wait for her burial had been hard for family and friends.

Mr Smiles, 63, a retired hotel porter who lives in Easter Drylaw Place, said: "It's been very difficult for Paul having this hanging over him for so long."

A Crown Office spokesman said: "The procurator fiscal at Edinburgh received a report in connection with the death of Marie Reid on November 15, 2010."We will continue to keep the family advised and informed, and her body will be released to them when investigations are complete."

Jay Sanday Soso, 18, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on November 30 charged with rape and four counts of theft. He was also charged with possession of a class B drug and possession of a class A drug.