Manslaughter Charge Dropped in Case of Melbourne Teen Found in Tip; Family Says It’s a “Difficult Day”

Prosecutors have withdrawn a manslaughter charge against Marat Ganiev, 55, who had been accused of killing 19‑year‑old Isla Bell before hiding her body in a fridge and disposing of it at a Melbourne rubbish tip.

Bell’s remains were discovered six weeks after her disappearance in October 2024. Ganiev was initially charged with murder, later downgraded to manslaughter as the case moved into the Victorian Supreme Court. On Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Jeremy McWilliams told the court that the manslaughter charge had now been withdrawn.

Ganiev will instead face a new charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice, with a fresh indictment expected to be filed later in the day. A new trial date has not yet been set, though prosecutors will provide a summary of allegations to the defence within two weeks.

Outside court, Bell’s grandfather David Spokes said the development was extremely painful for the family. “There are many things that I would like to say but I can’t say today because there are more charges pending,” he told reporters.