The case remains under investigation after Mark Blanco's mother claimed medical records prove her son was unconscious when he fell from the balcony in a party attended by Pete Doherty.
- September 7, 2010
AceShowbiz - British rocker Pete Doherty is facing fresh calls for cops to re-open a probe into the death of a man who plunged from a balcony minutes after a bust-up with the star. Police investigated after actor Mark Blanco toppled from the railings of an apartment block in east London in December 2006 after he was thrown out of a bash attended by The Libertines frontman Doherty.
Officers eventually ruled out suspicious circumstances, insisting Mr Blanco had either committed suicide or plunged to his death as he tried to jump on to a nearby lamp-post. But the man's mother Sheila Blanco is now pressing cops to re-open their probe, claiming medical records prove her son was unconscious when he toppled from the ledge.
She tells Sky News, "Mark had injuries from the head (sic), mainly to the head, and I think he can not possibly have gone over conscious, because he landed on his head with no injuries at all to the limbs. So he couldn't have used any protective reflexes to protect the head, which is normal."
A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said cops will review any new evidence as it comes to light, adding: "To date no clear evidence has indicated an assault or the involvement of a third party in the death of Mr Blanco, however the case remains under investigation."
