By Jim Hislop

THE FUNERAL in Majorca of former Dundee businessman Alex Brown has been postponed on orders of the police fuelling suspicions that he has been murdered.

His widow Margote spoke to The Courier from the island yesterday, describing her anguish when Spanish authorities stepped in at the last moment and cancelled her husband’s cremation service on Thursday.

Mr Brown’s body was found on the beach near his yacht at Port Soller on the north-west coast of the island on Sunday, April 2.

“Apparently the case-notes from the local police, which were handed over to the Guardia Civil in the town of Soller, contain a number of discrepancies about times and places where Alex was last seen alive,” she said.

“As a result the case has been taken over by the Guardia Civil in the capital Palma for further investigation, so Alex’s funeral had to be cancelled—and they can’t say when their investigations are likely to be complete or if they are going to treat it as a suspicious death. This is Spain after all and nothing happens quickly.

“In fact, I was really upset that although Alex had been found at 8.30 am, they didn’t get round to breaking the news to me until 8 pm.

“It’s a bloody nightmare, but I wouldn’t like to think there had indeed been foul play and it hadn’t been investigated thoroughly, so we’ll just have to wait.

“There are so many people here with so many rumours, but I can’t see Alex’s death as being suspicious.

“He was a strong swimmer, but if he fell off the yacht and banged his head—well even a mouthful of water could have led to fatal consequences.

“At least I’ve got our sons Nicholas and Christopher with me now.

“They were intending to settle here eventually, and this has just brought them out sooner.”

Mrs Brown said there had been some consolation for her on Friday.

A memorial service was held near the family home, attended by Mr Brown’s family including his two sisters from the US and Glasgow respectively.

“What made it special was that a family friend, the Reverend Dr Michael Bunce—himself formerly of Dundee—came over from Minorca, where he has a parish, to conduct the service.

“Afterwards we all went down to the yacht and threw bunches of flowers in the water.

“Now it’s just a matter of waiting for the Guardia Civil to wrap up the investigation before Alex can be cremated.”

According to the local Guardia Civil earlier in the week it appeared that Mr Brown closed up his bar, The Pacific, in Port Soller around 1.30 on the morning of his death.

His wife called the police when he did not return home, as was his routine after leaving the bar.

The authorities understood that instead of driving home at that time, Mr Brown had gone out to his yacht.

Originally, after taking over the case, the Guardia Civil in Soller confirmed the cause of Mr Brown’s death as drowning.

However, after conflicting statements as to his movements after closing the bar, the case was taken over by the Guardia Civil in Palma.

They confirmed yesterday they had taken over the case from their counterparts in Soller but could make no further comment at that time.

Mr Brown was born in Glasgow and, after working as a croupier and casino manager, went on to own several pubs and nightclubs in Dundee.

They included McGonagall’s, Cafe American and the nightclub Jacques in Broughty Ferry.

He also owned several other properties and businesses around the city which were sold when he moved to Port of Soller.