Brian Cathcart died on 7 December 2021 within HMP Barlinnie.
Mr Cathcart was in legal custody and in the care of the state at the time of his death.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service is obliged to investigate such deaths, and a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.
A Preliminary Hearing will be held on 28 August 2025 at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
The purpose of a Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) includes determining the cause of death; the circumstances in which the death occurred; and to establish what steps, if any, could have been taken to minimise the risk of future deaths in similar circumstances.
Unlike criminal proceedings, FAIs are inquisitorial in nature, and are used to establish facts rather than to apportion blame.
Procurator Fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on deaths investigations for COPFS, said:
“The Lord Advocate considers that the death of Brian Cathcart occurred whilst he was in legal custody and as such a Fatal Accident Inquiry is mandatory.
“The lodging of the First Notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the Sheriff.”
Further information
Custody Deaths Unit
The Crown Office & Procurator Fiscal Service has a team of specialist prosecutors dedicated to investigating deaths in legal custody.
The Custody Deaths Unit (CDU) was setup as part of a number of reforms designed to reduce the time it takes to investigate deaths, improve the quality of such investigations, and improve communication with bereaved families.
For more information on Fatal Accident Inquiries, see the Crown’s guide