Career criminal haunted after finding James Bulger's body dies in police custody
A man who was led into a life of crime after finding the body of little James Bulger has died in police custody.
The police watchdog, Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is now investigating the death of James Riley, 44, who was found dead on his police cell floor on March 15 after being detained.
The IOPC said they are looking at the "interaction officers had with the man on the street, and what happened after he arrived at the custody suite." The watchdog declared an independent probe after the mandatory referral from Merseyside Police.
He stayed in a cell overnight after he was approached by police at around 9.45pm on March 24. At 5pm the next day, police were made aware he was on the floor of the cell and needed medical attention.
James Bulger was just two when he was viciously killed (PA)Paramedics attended to him and he was taken to the hospital but was later pronounced dead.
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The IOPC declared the probe at 8.20pm the same day Mr Riley died and investigators were sent to the custody suite to begin reviewing evidence by obtaining CCTV and body-worn footage, the Liverpool ECHO reports.
Officers from the watchdog are still investigating.
IOPC Regional Director Catherine Bates said: "This was a tragic incident in which a man has sadly died and our thoughts are with his family and loved ones. Merseyside Police referred this matter to us, and as he was in the custody of police at the time he became unwell, it is important there is a thorough and independent investigation.
"We will examine all relevant matters including the interaction officers had with the man on the street, and what happened after he arrived at the custody suite. We have made contact with his family to explain our role and will update them as our enquiries progress."
Merseyside Police said previously officers are "fully cooperating" with the IOPC.
A spokesperson for the force said: "We are aware that the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) is investigating the death of a 44-year-old man in police custody in Liverpool on Wednesday, March 15.
"The force’s Professional Standards Department mandatorily referred the matter to the IOPC following the sad news that the man had passed away and we are fully cooperating with their investigation team. His next of kin have been informed and Merseyside Police would like to offer its condolences to the family for their loss."
Mr Riley, known as 'Osty,' found young James' body on a railway line in Liverpool in 1993.
The case shocked and angered the nation after two-year-old James was killed by 10-year-olds Jon Venables and Robert Thompson.
James Bulger's killers Jon Venables (left) and Robert Thompson (PA)Mr Riley was just 14 years old at the time and his family said the awful discovery led in part to him turning to a life of drugs and crime.
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He even blamed the discovery of the toddler - whom he found with his brother Terence - when he appeared at Liverpool Crown Court in 2010.
Lawyer Brendan Carville, defending, told the court that the theft charge came about as Mr Riley turned to a life of alcohol and drugs.
Carville said the devastating discovery was something Mr Riley had "lived with ever since."
In a tribute, friend Darren Gee said on Twitter that Mr Riley was "never the same" after finding the body.
Mr Riley racked up over 40 convictions and his sad condition saw him found dumped on the street in 2021 with a knife in his hand.
He was wearing only his underwear at the time and was suffering debts with gang members in Scotland.
Similarly, Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard that year that he was suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Defence agent Kevin Longino said: "His family have described him as having gone off the rails."
Riley's grandmother said in 2003 that Mr Riley "went off the rails" and brother Terence's "personality changed totally."
She said: "We hardly see him these days, but we know it was finding James’s body that changed him.
"Every night I pray for little James, but I also pray for my grandsons.
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