Family of woman whose body washed up on Scottish beach 18 years ago still left with unanswered questions

It's been 19 years since Annie Börjesson's washed up on a Scottish beach, after which police maintained she'd either been victim to a tragic accident or committed suicide.

Certain that a more sinister fate must have befallen the 30-year-old Swede - who was living in Edinburgh at the time to learn English - Annie's family still have a lot of unanswered questions for police investigators.

And now, with a BBC documentary on the case set to air on TV this week, her loved ones are once again praying they'll finally get the closure they're desperately seeking.

What happened to Annie?

Back in December 2005, English student Annie let her friends back home in Sweden know that she couldn't wait to reunite with them for Christmas.

Having purchased a flight home, the bilingual woman - who was also working at a tourist hotspot in the city prior to her death - arrived at Edinburgh Airport with her passport and a suitcase.

In the days prior, Annie had paid an advance on the flat she was renting and book a hairdresser's appointment back home in Scandinavia for between the Christmas and New Year period.

CCTV recorded at around 3.14pm on 3 December saw Annie entering the airport, giving the appearance she was ready to fly.

Unusually, however, about five minutes later, the same camera showed the young woman exiting the building through the same door, before disappearing from sight.

She wasn't seen again until the following day, when her body was discovered face down on Prestwick beach, just over a mile away, by a dog walker.

Annie Börjesson died in 2005 but her death still remains a mystery. (BBC)

What do the police believe happened?

In the days following the commencement of an investigation into her death, police declared that the most likely cause was suicide, or an unfortunate accident.

Being that Annie had previously shown no indication of mental health issues, however, her family and friends have since maintained that something more disturbing must have taken place.

What have Annie's family and friends said?

While Annie's death was reported as suicide, it's clear her family believes otherwise as her friend, Maria Jansson, has long called for a re-examination of the case.

Maria added that 18 years is 'an inhumanly long time' for Annie's loved ones to wait for answers surrounding the case, adding: "We would never have put ourselves through this nightmare if we all did not strongly believe that Annie was murdered."

Annie's other friend and colleague, Kat Dalmo, who she visited just two days before her body was found, said she 'was in a good mood, she didn't seem depressed at all, it doesn't add up',

Michael Neill, a detective who was on duty when Annie's body was found seemingly confirmed such suspicion, saying: "There was never anything at all to indicate that there was any criminality involved in Annie's death."

Why do other people say 'questions remain' surrounding Annie's case?

Clearly fascinated by Annie’s story, Scottish journalist, Hazel Martin, investigates the case in the BBC doc, Body on the Beach: What Happened to Annie?.

"I was only 13 when Annie died but the story of her death has always stayed with me," she explained. "Many people, her friends and family included, believe that Annie was actually murdered. The question is – could they be right?"

The doc sees Hazel piece together the 'strange series of events' leading up to Annie’s death, revealing 'disturbing differences' in the forensic analysis and coming up against 'a wall of secrecy and classified documentation'.

Fans of the programme have previously rushed to social media to share their praise with one X user writing: "The show Body on the Beach on BBC is actually insane!!!"

Annie Börjesson's friends and family think she was murdered (BBC)

A second penned: "Body on the Beach: What Happened to Annie? BBC 3. There are so many unanswered questions about Annie’s death that surely a reinvestigation is indicated? What do you think?"

"I’m watching Body on the Beach: What Happened to Annie It’s on bbc… really interesting case! So many unanswered questions," echoed a third.

While a fourth said: "BBC Scotland's Body on the Beach revealed some new angles on the death of Annie Börjesson on Prestwick beach in 2005.

"Was reminded of the long and tenacious attention paid to the case by the late Ken Roy and the @ScottishReview. Questions remain."

And a final X user urged: "You need to watch Body on the Beach on BBC iPlayer and follow journalist @hazelreporting who investigates the cold case of Annie Borjesson."

Body on the Beach: What Happened to Annie? is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer now.

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