A PSNI officer convicted of murdering his wife and children did not commit suicide, an inquest has ruled.
Claims that John Torney (50) took his own life surfaced after he was found dead in a cell at Maghaberry Prison near Lisburn, Co Antrim, in July 2005. The ex-Royal Ulster Constabulary constable had spent 11 years behind bars for the triple shooting of his wife Linda (33), son John Jr (13) and 11-year-old daughter Emma.
But at the inquest into Torney's death, his relatives today received official confirmation that he had in fact suffered a fatal heart attack. Questioning state pathologist Professor Jack Crane, their lawyer Alan Kane QC said: "The family of Mr Torney are here today against a background of some unfortunate and distressing media reports and speculation that suggested he may have committed suicide.
"Can you confirm he did not die by suicide?" Prof Crane replied: "I can."
Torney's brother Sam and his wife Hilary, who sat through the two-day hearing at Belfast Coroner's Court, declared it another step forward in their quest to clear his name.
"The family were not happy with the reports stating that John had taken his own life," Mr Torney said outside the court. "That was without them having any of the details we have had today, clearly stating John did not do that."
His wife also pledged to intensify their campaign to prove Torney was the victim of a gross miscarriage of justice. The murder victims' bodies were discovered at the blood-drenched family home in Cookstown, Co Tyrone in September 1994.
Torney, who always protested his innocence, told police his son had gone on a crazed killing spree. It was claimed John Jr carried out the murders before turning the gun on himself because Emma was about to tell their parents he had sexually abused her.
The family claim their case has been strengthened by police allegedly telling the children's school principal that semen was found on the girl's body.
Weeks before his death a jubilant Torney believed he was on the verge of a major breakthrough in his fight to overturn the guilty verdict, the inquest heard. Those hopes were based on a decision by Lord Chief Justice Sir Brian Kerr that the Criminal Cases Review Commission should re-examine the files.