Isla Bell Case: Murder Charge Dropped, Ganiev Heads to Trial for Perverting Justice

Marat Ganiev, 55, faced trial for murdering 19-year-old Isla Bell, whose remains were found at a Melbourne tip in November 2024. The charge was downgraded to manslaughter, then withdrawn in May 2026 for insufficient evidence. He was recharged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. On 24 July 2026, Victoria's Supreme Court rejected his bid to dismiss that charge, allowing prosecutors to file fresh indictments. The case returns in August.