I found out my son had died when I was on holiday and checking the cameras for my dog... Hes been dead for hours 

A Scottish mother has described the devastating moment she discovered her son had died while on holiday in the Dominican Republic after checking a dog camera at her home.

Maryann Taylor, 52, was abroad last September when she noticed something unusual on her security footage, which shed checked to see how her dogs were doing in her absence. 

After spotting her two dogs behaving oddly, she asked a friend of her son, Craig, to visit the house.

Tragically, Craig, who would have celebrated his 31st birthday on March 27, was found dead on the kitchen floor. 

His friend, looking through the window, saw his lifeless body, and the police were called. Craig had been alone for hours before being discovered.

Maryann, who suffers from a heart condition and arthritis, has since been left traumatised, unable to escape the memories of the moment. 

Every day, she walks past the room where Craig died, and each night, she struggles with flashbacks of the tragic scene.

Maryann Taylor, 52, (right) was abroad last September when she noticed something unusual on her security footage. Pictured with her son, Craig

Maryann told the Daily Record: The first thing I do in the morning is pass by his empty bedroom.

The second thing I do is go into the room where he died and was left for all those hours on his own.

While Im trapped in this house, I can barely get through a day.

Since the devastating loss of her son, Maryann has been fighting for a new council home that suits her needs. 

She has pleaded with Edinburgh Council for a property with space for her two dogs, as well as room for her daughter and carer to visit. 

Despite her requests, she says she has been offered unsuitable properties, leaving her in an incredibly difficult situation.

She said: I cant get any help anywhere. Im one person, Im disabled and Ive got a heart condition and arthritis.

My lifeline is my two dogs, I need a house with a garden for them. I cant go live in a flat, I cant go up the stairs and theres nowhere for the dogs to go.

Adding: I just feel that the system is broken. 

Despite her struggles, Maryann continues to battle the system with the help of her MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton. 

He has described her case as one of the most tragic hes encountered, adding that hes working closely with the council to find a solution.

Maryanns GP has written a letter outlining her deteriorating mental health, which has worsened since Craigs death. 

Despite her struggles, Maryann continues to battle the system with the help of her MSP, Alex Cole-Hamilton (above)

The letter states that Maryann has a history of anxiety and depression, and since her sons passing, she has been struggling with suicidal thoughts, flashbacks, and severe distress.

The letter also requests a house with no stairs and a bath to ease her pain, as well as a space for her beloved dogs.

Edinburgh Council has confirmed they are aware of Maryanns situation and are working with her to find a suitable solution. 

However, the mother continues to feel abandoned by the system, struggling to cope with her grief and the overwhelming sense of loss.

Im so tired of fighting, she admitted. Its hard to believe its taken me this long to break down.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Around 12.30pm on Sunday, 29 September, 2024 we received a report of the death of a 30-year-old man in a property in the Cotlaws area of Kirkliston.

The death is currently unexplained and enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the death are ongoing. A report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.