Family’s heartbreak over dropped manslaughter charge

The family of a 19-year-old woman whose body was found in a tip says it’s a difficult day after prosecutors dropped manslaughter charges against her accused killer.

Marat Ganiev, 55, was accused of killing Isla Bell in the early hours of October 7, 2024, before hiding her body in a refrigerator.

Manslaughter charges against Ganiev have also been dropped.

Ganiev will instead be charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice, with new charges expected to be filed later today.

A new trial date has yet to be set, but a summary of the charges will be served on the defense within the next two weeks.

Bell’s grandfather David Spokes said it was a very difficult day for his family.

“There are many things I would like to say, but I cannot say them today because there are more charges pending,” he told reporters outside the court.

“We have done our utmost not to jeopardize that. We will have more to say in due course.”

Bell’s mother Justine Spokes also expressed her disappointment.

“I raised Isla with compassion, caring, integrity and strength,” she told reporters.

“We simply live in a society with a heart of stone.”

Eyal Yaffe, 59, was also originally charged with assisting an offender and attempting to pervert the course of justice in connection with Bell’s death.

McWilliams also confirmed today that charges against Yaffe would be dropped.

Yaffe declined to comment as he used crutches to walk out of the courtroom a free man.

A spokeswoman for the Public Prosecution Service confirmed that the charges had been dropped due to “insufficient evidence” to support the crimes.

NEVER MISS A STORY: Be the first to receive your latest news and exclusive stories by following us on all platforms.