'My son was murdered by spiking': University student, 18, died with the equivalent of five ecstasy tablets in his system - but nobody has ever been found responsible

The devastated parents of a university student who they believe died after his drink was spiked have said their son was 'murdered'. His heartbroken mother Mandy Mackie - now a spiking awareness campaigner - said she believed her son was 'murdered' after a substance was slipped into his soft drink, but nobody has ever been identified as being responsible. Greg Mackie died in 2017 after being found to have the equivalent of five ecstasy tablets in his system His parents believe the 18-year-old had his drink spiked but nobody has ever been found responsible for his death Colin and Mandy Mackie created the Spike Aware UK charity in 2017 following the death of their son, Greg Since 2023 some 168 spiking cases have been reported to police in Scotland, the broadcaster said, but only nine of those passed onto the Crown Office. Confusion, hallucinations and suddenly acting paranoid are among the signs that a person's drink has been spiked More than 8,500 reports of spiking were made to 39 police forces across the UK that responded to a freedom of information request in 2022, up from around 1,650 in 2018 But Mr and Mrs Mackie said they felt police did not seriously consider the possibility he had been spiked. Mr Mackie said in July: 'We've spoken to victims who have become withdrawn and no longer trust people or go out, their mental health has been affected, 'I had one young woman get in contact who said she was on the verge of suicide, and my own son, Greg, died.