Tragedy for abuse inquiry victim

Kevin leaves heartbreaking final message telling of his exhaustion over waiver fight | Family devastated as police search river following online alert highlighting 'red flags'

- MARCELLO MEGA

A SEX abuse victim is believed to have taken his own life after his request for anonymity from the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry was refused.

Kevin Sutherland posted a farewell message on social media yesterday, claiming the inquiry had failed him.

He had waived his anonymity but changed his mind when he realised his evidence could be seen online in perpetuity.

Kevin, who told how he was sexually abused and how that led him to becoming a sex worker, asked for his name to be redacted or anonymised, but was told the request had been refused by Lady Smith.

In a devastating final social media message, Kevin, 34, wrote: "FINAL ANNOUNCEMENT! If you're reading this, it means I have DIED.

"The amount of red flags that have been ignored by absolutely everyone to allow me to get to this final point is unforgivable."

Police said yesterday searches were ongoing in an area of the River Forth after they were alerted about 1.50am.

Kevin's sister, Melanie Watson, said: "We are so unbelievably heartbroken."