The family of murdered Carl Davies say they are devastated by a decision not to prosecute two of the three men charged with his killing.

It is almost five years since the 33-year-old’s body was discovered in a ravine on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion.

Initially, it was thought he had fallen to his death but a week later it was revealed he had been murdered.

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The former Royal Marine, of Harrier Drive, Sittingbourne, had been badly beaten during a night out.

Four men were arrested in 2013 but one was later released, leaving three facing trial.

However, Carl’s mum Maria received word yesterday afternoon that two of them had been freed due to lack of evidence.

This leaves one man, but it is felt the chances of a conviction could be limited.

Maria says the family expected the trio to be tried next year and yesterday’s news has left them all “absolutely devastated”.

She received an email from their solicitor on the French-administered island breaking the news.

This was followed by a call from Kent police.

She said: “I was just stunned to hear what had happened. My son’s life’s been taken and it feels like no-one’s going to pay the price.”

The 55-year-old says they can challenge the decision with the French Supreme Court but this will cost a lot of money.

Already they have paid out £20,000 for their Reunion lawyer and for another one based in Paris.

These funds were raised with a series of events held in memory of Carl, who also taught at Sittingbourne Community College and Sheppey Academy.

"My son’s life’s been taken and it feels like no-one’s going to pay the price" - Maria Davies

He was working as security on a cargo ship which had docked in Reunion’s capital Saint Denis on November 7, 2011.

He suffered serious head injured after leaving a bar.

Maria and Carl’s dad Andy, 56, moved from Hollingbourne to Fife, Scotland, last year to be near their daughter Kerrie, 35 and two granddaughters.

They had hoped to make a fresh start away from Kent and memories of their son, but yesterday’s news has come as a hammer blow.

“Sittingbourne people have been brilliant with their support as have Kent police,” she said,

“But we’ve had no help at all from the British or French governments.

“We thought the trial was going ahead and now we hear this and we’re just shell shocked.

“My son’s dead and nobody’s being held to account.”