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Jamie Forbes' death in Aberdeen high-rise could have been avoided, fatal accident inquiry finds
Overview
A fatal accident inquiry has concluded that the death of Jamie Forbes, who plunged from a 12th-floor window after being tortured in an Aberdeen high-rise flat in January 2024, might realistically have been prevented. Sheriff Principal Andrew Miller highlighted errors including a wrongly recorded 999 call location and failure to follow up with witnesses, and issued recommendations for Police Scotland to improve call handling and procedures.
Key points
- Jamie Forbes, 37, fell to his death from a 12th-floor window in Elphinstone Court, Aberdeen, in January 2024 after being held and tortured for two days.
- Lee Smith was jailed for eight years in December 2024 after admitting culpable homicide in relation to the case.
- A fatal accident inquiry found that the death might realistically have been prevented if reasonable precautions had been taken.
- A 999 call handler incorrectly recorded that screams were coming from six to eight floors up, whereas the caller had stated they were six floors down from the top.
- The sheriff principal recommended new guidance for Police Scotland service advisers to minimise recording errors and clarify policies on re-contacting callers.