Twenty-four-year-old Zack Meli was laid to rest this afternoon after Mass held at the tal-Ibrag parish church.

The youngster fell dead in Paceville earlier this month, and while initial speculation was that he was killed by a blow from a Bulgarian national during an altercation, the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear. An autopsy was inconclusive and no signs of violence were found.

A Bulgarian teenager had, in fact, been arrested but was later released on police bail. CCTV footage had also confirmed that a fight had not taken place.

Toxicological tests were carried out and are being analysed at a laboratory abroad. The results are still pending, sources speaking with this newspaper confirmed. The inquiring magistrate, after consulting forensic experts, deemed it fit to release Meli’s remains for burial.