Answers needed on death after body lay in Edinburgh Council HQ toilets for six days
The pain of losing a loved one is always hard to bear.
But grieving widow Julie Stephen has the added horror of not knowing exactly how her husband Sean died. Today the Daily Record tells the story of Sean's death and the unanswered questions that surround it.
He was on the phone to his wife on Edinburgh's Royal Mile when he said he was feeling unwell and was going to use the toilet in the City Chambers. Julie was then unable to contact him and, frantic with worry, reported him missing to the police.
It was six days later when Sean's decomposing body was, according to Julie, found in a toilet inside the City Chambers.
Now Julie has spoken out to demand answers from Edinburgh City Council and Police Scotland over Sean's death at the council's headquarters.
The information being fed to Julie does not come close to answering her questions. She needs to find closure and, to do that, Julie needs to have the full picture of what happened in this tragic case.
The Record has tried to find the answers but we have received only short statements from the council and police.
At the very least both of these taxpayer-funded organisations need to tell Julie everything they know about Sean's death and the search for him.
It may be that nothing could have been done to save Sean's life if he had been found earlier. But if honest mistakes were made, they should be admitted to and explained.
Julie deserves to hear the truth – and nothing but the truth.
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.
You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.
All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in!
If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like.
To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Clean the mess
The Rolls-Royce factory in East Kilbride was a proud part of Scotland's industrial landscape.
The aerospace giant quit the town for a site closer to Glasgow Airport in 2015. Now 10 years on, a place that once housed some of Scotland's most skilled workers has become a magnet for fly-tipping.
It's an eyesore that those living nearby are rightly fed up with. Part of the former factory hub has since been built on for houses but the remainder has become a blight on the town.
As the site is privately owned, the council says its options to intervene are limited.
It's a sad indictment that a once proud industrial landmark can fall into such a dismal stare of disrepair. Residents don't deserve to be stuck with this rubbish-strewn mess any longer.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Record
19 minutes ago
- Daily Record
Woman dies in hospital six days after horror crash that killed dog
Emergency services raced to the A96 at Newton of Petty after the alarm was raised at around 8.45am on Friday, July 18. A woman has died in hospital six days after a two-vehicle crash near Inverness. Emergency services raced to the A96 at Newton of Petty after the alarm was raised at around 8.45am on Friday, July 18. Officers were responding to reports of a crash involving a red Vauxhall Corsa and a black Volvo XC60. Ambulance crews attended and the driver of the Corsa, a 50-year-old woman, was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Police have confirmed she died at the hospital on Thursday. A dog that was travelling in the Corsa also died at the scene. The passenger of the Volvo, a 74-year-old woman, was also airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she remains in a stable condition. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The driver of the Volvo, a 74-year-old man, was taken to Raigmore Hospital and was later discharged. Police have renewed their appeal for information on the incident. Sergeant Ewan Calder said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who has died, and we continue to carry out inquiries to establish the full circumstances of the crash and the events leading up to it. 'We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash or who saw the Vauxhall Corsa being driven in the area prior to the collision. 'I would also urge anyone with dashcam footage or any other information that could assist to contact police.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0755 of Friday July 18 2025.
Daily Record
2 hours ago
- Daily Record
Disabled woman died after carer lost control of wheelchair on escalator
Catherine Muir, 71, was being looked after by Debbie McWhannell, 33, at Glasgow's Easterhouse Shopping Centre on July 15 2023. A disabled woman tragically died after a carer lost control of her wheelchair on an escalator. Catherine Muir, 71, was being looked after by Debbie McWhannell, 33, at Glasgow's Easterhouse Shopping Centre on July 15 2023. McWhannell, of the city's Mount Vernon, ignored a sign which warned against putting wheelchairs on an escalator. Catherine - who had special needs and prone to dizziness - was only held on by McWhannell's one hand as they descended. Catherine sadly fell and suffered a serious jaw injury which affected her breathing. She died in hospital 11 days later after she contracted pneumonia. McWhannell pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an offence against the Health and Safety at Work Act. Sheriff Shona Gilroy tagged McWhannell for six months keeping her indoors between 8pm and 9am as an "alternative to custody." Catherine's brother Donald Muir, 68, and sister Janet Muir, 72, said after the sentencing: "We weren't looking for her to get jailed. She made a horrible mistake and she will have to live with that for the rest of her days - it should never have happened. "It was a sad loss - she lived 72 years and to die that way is just tragic. It's been a disaster. I just hope it is publicised so that it doesn't happen again and gives folk a warning about escalators. "We would like carers to pay attention to all signs at escalators - she blatantly ignored all the health and safety regulations. I can't imagine what was in her head - Catherine was not a wee lightweight and had a bulky wheelchair. To even attempt to go down an escalator - I can't imagine why, it's shocking." The court heard that McWhannell worked for Inclusion Scotland as as a supported living assistant. Catherine - originally from Dunoon, Argyll and Bute - had significant learning disability and complex care needs. She was non-verbal and suffered from various medical conditions. On the day of the incident, McWhannell had initially taken Catherine up an escalator upon entering the shopping centre. The lift was out of order at the time of the incident. McWhannell and Catherine visited shops for a short period of time before they headed for the exit. McWhannell had a bag of shopping on the elbow of one arm while she held Catherine's wheelchair with her hand. Her right hand gripped onto the handrail of the escalator meantime. Prosecutor Kristina Reilly said: "When the wheelchair with Catherine strapped in began to descend, McWhannell lost her grip completely and the wheelchair tumbled to the bottom. Catherine also attempted to hold the handrail when the chair began to fall." Janitor David Ayton attended the scene and pressed the emergency stop button. He then tended to Catherine who was "hysterical" with facial injuries and was bleeding from her mouth. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. McWhannell attempted to assist Catherine but was stated to be "shaken and hysterical" while she apologised to her. Ambulance staff were concerned on arrival about Catherine's lower jaw injury as it could have caused an airway issue. Medics carried out an airway suction on her and took her to hospital for further treatment. Catherine was found to have suffered a fractured left jaw which required surgery which included restoring displaced bones using rods and screws. She also sustained a head injury and was admitted to a high dependency unit. Catherine unfortunately contracted pneumonia and died 11 days later. McWhannell was suspended from her job pending an investigation. The probe found that the escalator had signage which said: "No pushchairs, wheelchairs or bulky loads." Other safer routes of exit were also stated to have been available to McWhannell which included a ramp. Miss Reilly also told the court that McWhannell was properly trained in manual handling and would have been aware of Catherine's care plan. A formal decision on McWhannell's status with the Scottish Social Services Council will be made after the end of criminal proceedings. Ian McCarthy, defending, said: "This was a one-off tragic incident with very serious consequences. She deeply regrets her involvement in this matter and that it took place. She travelled with her in the ambulance and spent time in hospital with her and also visited her." Sheriff Gilroy expressed her condolences to Catherine's family at the sentencing. She said: "I imagine the events that led to her death have been utterly heartbreaking. "To her next of kin in court - what happened to your sister was utterly tragic and I understand there is upset and anger at the decision made by Miss McWhannell to take Catherine on an escalator while she was on a wheelchair and prone to dizziness. "Miss McWhannell appears unable to explain her decision and I take that from what she said to the social worker. It appears that her rash decision making has been profound and long lasting. "This was an isolated incident caused by a dreadful decision made by an otherwise law abiding member of society. A prison sentence of up to 26 weeks would not help rehabilitation and I am persuaded there is an alternative to custody."
BBC News
2 hours ago
- BBC News
Shropshire fire bosses plan social media rules after scandal
Shropshire and Wrekin Fire Authority has discussed updating its social media rule book in the wake of a WhatsApp scandal that engulfed two senior male chief fire officer Simon Hardiman and assistant chief fire officer Adam Matthews were put through an independent investigation in 2024 following claims that they sent sexist messages on Matthews resigned, and Mr Hardiman returned to his post in September last year with a written warning and a mandatory training requirement following that light of the investigation, a meeting in Telford on Wednesday saw the fire authority propose a draft social media protocol. Last year auditors told the fire authority that they had "been unable to find a social media policy" and if there was one "there is scope for it to be provided so that it is adhered to". Elected members of the authority had asked to be included in a new protocol. The policy refers to social media and social networking sites, including draft policy said: "It should be remembered that the use of WhatsApp by members of staff should be in line with the service's core values and workplace charter."Even on a personal device/account, may become disclosable evidence in legal hearings or public inquests."It added that "WhatsApp is currently not a corporate tool and should not be used as a formal method of communication due to issues such as security, [General Data Protection Regulation] and [Freedom of Information] requests. "We would encourage staff to use [Microsoft] Teams to communicate with their colleagues."The new protocol applies to the use of social media for both business and personal purposes, whether during work hours or draft protocol also added that "all employees are responsible for their own actions in the use of social media". This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
