The police are not ruling out manslaughter in the case of 23-year-old Edward Gibbons, who fell to his death in Wied id-Diz, Gharghur on Thursday.

While preliminary investigations into the fall suggested that Mr Gibbons, from St Julian’s, had fallen to his death after having lost consciousness for an undetermined reason, media reports are now suggesting that the police have not ruled out the possibility of manslaughter.

Mr Gibbon’s body was found under a tree in the valley with a deep cut behind his right ear. Beer bottles and a small amount of cannabis were also found in the vicinity of the deceased.

Two individuals who had been with Mr Gibbons, who have said that the death was accidental and was caused by Mr Gibbons having fallen into the valley after losing his balance, are assisting the police in their investigations, which are being led by Assistant Commissioner Manwel Cassar and inspectors Chris Pullicino, John Ellul and Kevin Farrugia.