THE FAMILY of an ex-Royal Marine who was stabbed to death on a paradise island said they were “broken beyond repair” after the man jailed for his murder was acquitted.
Former Royal Marine Carl Davies, 33, was found dead on the Indian Ocean island of French administered Reunion Island in November 2011.
Initially his death was said to have been an accident after cops ruled he had fallen into a ravine but a follow up investigation ruled he had been beaten and stabbed by a gang.
Mum Maria and dad Andy spent thousands of pounds and waited years for justice which finally came in 2017 when Vincent Madoure, 32, was found guilty of murder in a trial on the island.
However they were left devastated when Madoure was today acquitted on appeal.
Mr Davies’ family confirmed the news on today.
They said: “It is with a heavy heart and deep sorrow that we can confirm the person who was sentenced to 15 years two years ago has walked free. He has been acquitted of all charges.
“Carl has been failed from the very beginning. This is the end of the road for us now.
“We have done everything we can but unfortunately there is nothing, by law, that we are able to do from now on.
“We are broken beyond repair and now just need to take time out to grieve for our loss which is something we have been denied.
“Thank you to each and everyone of you for your love and support the past long seven years.”
Mr Davies, from Sittingbourne, Kent, had left Britain to work in ship security and was on a trip to Reunion Island when he died.
During his time in the Marines he had served in Northern Ireland and Iraq.
Four men were charged with his murder in 2013, but cases against three of them were dropped.
Madoure had always insisted he was innocent throughout the three-day trial in 2017.
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