A mother from the UK, convinced her son was murdered in Spain, has taken the extraordinary step of hiring two former British police detectives to launch a fresh investigation into his death.
Disputed Findings and a Mother's Fight
Sandra Adams, 56, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, is campaigning for Spanish authorities to reopen the case of her son, Brett Dryden. The 35-year-old former Nissan worker was found dead in his home in Mojacar, Almeria, in July last year.
Spanish police initially treated the death as the result of a robbery at his property, which also served as a legal cannabis club called The Dawg House. A post-mortem examination in Spain concluded Brett died from a pulmonary haemorrhage, with his body testing positive for cocaine and cannabis. Officers reported no signs of a struggle.
New Evidence and Expert Disagreement
However, the case took a significant turn when a Home Office pathologist from the UK reviewed the evidence. Dr. Cooper, an honorary consultant at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary, conducted a separate post-mortem and strongly disagreed with the Spanish findings.
In his report, Dr. Cooper stated he was "not in the least persuaded" by the given cause of death. He argued that the lung changes observed were non-specific and did not suggest a drug reaction. Crucially, his external examination found injuries including bruising on the forehead, abrasions on the elbows and knees, and contusions on the torso and legs, which he said were "consistent with having been assaulted". Brett had also suffered a four-inch head wound.
Private Investigation Launched
In response, Sandra Adams has enlisted the help of Sam Hutchinson, 57, and Emma Coles, 41, former anti-corruption officers with Essex Police. The pair now run Verity Henton Private Investigations, based in Mayfair and Essex.
"They have ex-police inspectors [in Spain]," Sandra told the Mirror. "They are setting a clear line of investigation."
Her determination for answers is bolstered by a Spanish police report she obtained, which contains CCTV footage. The footage shows two men wearing caps and face coverings fleeing Brett's house with two bags. One bag is believed to have contained more than £7,000 in cash, the other marijuana.
Despite this evidence, a Spanish judge provisionally closed the case in September, stating there was insufficient proof to support murder charges or put anyone on trial. Sandra Adams, who led a memorial walk of over 20 loved ones in Mojacar last April, believes the report is "full of holes" and continues her fight for justice.
