Family of heiress who drowned are to sue her husband who was accused of killing her

The family of a heiress who died on holiday have pledged to ‘never give up’ as they prepare to sue her husband who was accused of killing her as part of a £3.5million life insurance plot.

Paula Leeson, 47, from Sale, died in a swimming pool at a villa in a remote village in Denmark, on June 6, 2017, while on holiday with her husband Donald McPherson.

He was charged with her murder in 2020, but a trial at Manchester Crown Court collapsed after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to reach a verdict.

McPherson stood to gain £3.3million in insurance payouts as a result of her death, but Paula’s family, who remain convinced McPherson was responsible, have since launched a civil case against him for unlawful killing.

With the case set to begin next week at the Manchester Civil Justice Centre, Paula’s brother, Neville, has said ‘new evidence’ will be heard.

Paula Leeson (pictured), 47, from Sale, died in a swimming pool at a villa in a remote village in Denmark, on June 6, 2017

Paula passed away while on holiday with her husband Donald McPherson, pictured

Paula’s father, William Leeson (right), and brother Neville, have vowed to continue their fight to sue her husband

‘We want to hear a ruling from a judge that he [McPherson] did unlawfully kill Paula — that’s the most important thing,’ he told The Times.

Family of heiress who drowned on holiday block husband’s £3.3m life insurance payout

‘That will stop him deriving any financial benefit from Paula’s death.’

Last year, the family won a separate High Court challenge over the scope of the inquest into her death.

Discussing the challenges this has had on the family, Neville told the publication: ‘We’ve had to deal with Paula’s loss, then my mum dying, and then amongst all that, we’ve got to manage this case — and then we’ve still got the inquest to pursue later on in the year.

McPherson, who has since moved to New Zealand, was acquitted of murder after a judge directed the jury to return a not guilty verdict.

Ms Leeson was the daughter of Willy, a successful businessman who ran his own civil engineering firm in Greater Manchester.

McPherson was charged with Paula’s murder in 2020, but a trial at Manchester Crown Court collapsed after the judge ruled there was insufficient evidence to reach a verdict

The couple had wed at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire, in June 2014, a ‘grand affair and no expense was spared’.

Alison Rocca, Partner at Glaisyers ETL, said back in January, 2022: ‘The Leeson family are pleased that Donald McPherson’s efforts to delay and frustrate the claim over the last six months have been overcome.

‘His recent move to New Zealand will not allow him to escape the consequences of his actions.

‘The family are now one step closer toward securing justice for the untimely death of their beloved daughter and ensuring Donald McPherson does not benefit from his acts.’

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