A man accused of killing his former partner has been found dead in prison, just days after appearing in court charged with her murder.
Lee Greenan had appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday, facing charges of assaulting and murdering Vikki Soloman, an aesthetician. He was remanded in custody following the hearing, but has since been found dead behind bars.
The case had already drawn significant attention given the nature of the charges. Vikki Soloman, described by those who knew her as a warm and dedicated professional, lost her life in circumstances that led prosecutors to bring a murder charge against her former partner.
Greenan had been held on remand after his court appearance, which is standard procedure in cases involving serious charges of this nature. The exact circumstances surrounding his death in custody are not yet fully clear, and it is understood that an investigation is now underway.
Deaths in custody in Scotland are automatically referred to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, and the Scottish Prison Service is required to notify the relevant authorities whenever a prisoner dies while in their care. A Fatal Accident Inquiry can also be held in such circumstances, particularly where the death occurs in prison.
The news will be deeply painful for Vikki Soloman’s family and friends, who had been facing the prospect of a full trial and the chance to hear the case against Greenan examined in open court. For many families in similar situations, the court process represents an important part of seeking justice and answers, and that process has now been cut short in the most abrupt way possible.
Vikki Soloman worked as an aesthetician, a profession built around caring for others, and tributes from those who knew her painted a picture of someone well-regarded both personally and professionally.
The Scottish Prison Service and Crown Office have not yet made detailed public statements about the specific circumstances of Greenan’s death, though formal procedures are expected to follow in the coming days.
For those close to Vikki Soloman, the developments leave a painful and complicated path ahead, with the criminal case now unable to proceed in the way her loved ones may have hoped.