Josh Clayton, 23, was last seen alive when he went missing after a party for local workers
The family of a barman found dead on the Isles of Scilly two years ago fear he was murdered and claim police failed to properly investigate his death.
Josh Clayton, 23, was last seen alive on September 12, 2015 when he went missing after a party for local workers.
His body was discovered on rocks on the island of Tresco 11 days later but police initially ruled out foul play.
In January an inquest was dramatically adjourned when one witness said he saw a fight between Mr Clayton and a group of foreign workers outside the party.
Plymouth Coroner’s Court was also told he may have been pushed into the water.
Mr Clayton’s family lodged a complaint with Devon and Cornwall Police about its handling of the case just two months after his death.
The Dorset force carried out a review and earlier this year Devon and Cornwall’s major crime team took over the investigation.
Mr Clayton’s body was discovered on rocks on the island of Tresco in September 2015
Their probe has yet to be completed but Mr Clayton’s older brother Ashley Cox said today: ‘Since June last year I’ve been convinced Josh was murdered.
‘I think there was a fracas and he was either knocked unconscious and left in the sea, or he was killed and moved to the sea.
‘Somebody did that to him without a doubt. The police have not looked at it as foul.’
The family say that vital evidence was destroyed during the initial investigation, including Josh’s clothing which was burnt.
Speaking for the first time, IT consultant Ashley, 35, added: ‘It is two years we have been held in this limbo about not being confident to speak out.
‘It was September 23 that Josh was discovered – it’s two years later and nothing has changed in my mind since day one.
Mr Clayton (pictured left with his nephew Harvey Holley) is feared to have been murdered
‘There were problems with the statements and evidence taken by police.
‘There have been no arrests, just like they didn’t properly collect evidence or actively destroyed it – such as my brother’s clothes.’
The family are convinced foul play was involved and insisted that Josh would never have taken a longer route to walk home, as police suggested.
Mr Clayton, from Taunton, Somerset, was a barman on the islands where the last recorded murder took place in 1976.
He is thought to have set up a ‘buddy’ system for revellers to walk home together safely.
His brother Ashley, sister Danielle, 30, mother Tracey and stepfather Duncan Clayton have so far spent £67,000 on barristers in the quest for the truth.
Mr Clayton (pictured as a child with Harvey) from Taunton was a barman on the Isles of Scilly
Ashley said: ‘If we didn’t have the money to spend on barristers, we would have just been told Josh killed himself or it was misadventure.’
At the time the inquest was adjourned Josh’s mother said: ‘There was evidence that it was completely out of character for him to have left a party without saying goodbye to anyone, that simply wasn’t his style.
‘He was very friendly and open and he simply wouldn’t have slipped away without letting his friends know unless something extraordinary had happened.’
She added: ‘I cannot even start to grieve because of the way the police have messed up the investigation.
‘If they had paid attention to our concerns things would have been different. There was no caring or empathy from the police at first and we could never got hold of them.
‘We were never even given a family liaison officer because we were told Josh’s death didn’t warrant it.’
His body was discovered on rocks on the island of Tresco (file picture) on the Isles of Scilly
The new investigation into Mr Clayton’s death is expected to conclude at the end of the year.
Devon and Cornwall Police said the new investigation into Mr Clayton’s death was expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Detective Superintendent Steve Parker, senior investigating officer, said: ‘Dorset Police have completed their review of the original investigation and identified some organisational learning.
‘Josh Clayton’s family have been informed of this but the disclosure of the report and its findings will only be considered once the investigation is complete.
‘I have met with the Clayton family to inform them of our plans and intentions in relation to the investigation. I will continue to keep them fully informed of any developments.
‘Josh’s death had a devastating impact on the family and we have specially trained officers supporting them.
‘My thoughts and sympathies remain with the family at this difficult time.’