The aunt of a Kinross woman allegedly raped and killed in Israel has flown out to meet police in the country.
Julie Pearson, 38, died on November 27 in the holiday resort of Eilat.
Her aunt Deborah, 55, met the Israeli deputy UK ambassador Eitan Na’eh in Edinburgh last Friday, and said she was “relieved” by his assurances but flew out to Eilat on Saturday.
She will hold further talks with police in a bid to get them to treat the case as murder. The family has previously expressed concerns that Julie’s death was not properly investigated.
Ms Pearson’s boyfriend, Amjab Hatib, who was jailed for four weeks in May for a previous attack on her, was questioned within hours of her death but released without police bringing charges.
Deborah said: “The meeting with the deputy ambassador was difficult because I needed to show him photos of the extensive injuries and bruising to Julie.
“That had to be done so he could understand our concerns over how Julie died and what was being done.
“Mr Na’eh assured me he will do all he can to support us to find the truth.
“We thank him for ensuring meetings we have in the next few days with officials in Israel will now take place.”
Ms Pearson had been in Israel for 14 months and was working in hotels in Eliat and was in the process of gaining citizenship.
Witnesses have alleged that Hatib beat Ms Pearson in public, while another said they had heard her screaming and saying that she had been raped.
Ms Pearson complained of feeling ill and collapsed and died the next day.
It is feared that the fact her tourist visa had run out stopped Ms Pearson from seeking medical treatment.