In 1998 my brother, Christopher Alder, died in police custody surrounded by officer from Humberside Police. An inquest followed but despite a finding of unlawful killing at the Inquest that followed to date nobody has been held to account for his death.

After Christopher's death

On 25 November 2000, over two years following his death, we were finally allowed to put his body to rest, or so we thought. My brother was 37 years old when he died. He had been a Paratrooper in the army and served this country. In honour of his service to this country a representative from the army attended and played the last post. I don’t think we could have asked for a better send off.

Then the unthinkable happened. On 5 November 2011, 11 years after we believed to have buried him, his body was discovered in a mortuary in Hull. For 11 years he laid, wrapped in numerous body bags, in the mortuary. Instead of my beloved brother, father and son we had buried a 77 year old lady.

The investigation that failed us

A criminal investigation into the release of the wrong body followed. South Yorkshire Police investigated the matter for a year but again we have been left without answers and as of today nobody has been held accountable for releasing the wrong body to us in 2000.

I do not believe that a thorough investigation was done. I believe that those responsible are being deliberately protected and I am determined to challenge this investigation. I am determined to get answers and justice for my brother. Justice which has been denied to him up to this day.

Why is our case so important?

But this is not just a case of overwhelming importance in pursuit of justice for my brother. It’s important for all of us. We all lose loved ones and when we do their bodies are held in Mortuaries until their release to their families. We must protect their dignity and ensure that they are treated with dignity and respect after death. But above all, we need to know and be confident that we can trust in the system when things go wrong.

I am taking a legal challenge against South Yorkshire Police to challenge the investigation with the hope that no family will ever have to go through what I have been through. Please support me and donate to my fight for Justice.