Mother faces charges over children's deaths in house explosion

The bodies of eight-year-old twins Augustino and Gianluca Riggi and their five-year-old sister Cecilia were found on Wednesday at the modern townhouse in Slateford Road, Edinburgh, after reports of an explosion.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court last night night issued a petition warrant for the children's mother Theresa Riggi.

Mrs Riggi, 46, is in a serious but stable condition in hospital after apparently falling from the second floor of the building.

A Crown Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that the procurator fiscal at Edinburgh has received a report concerning a 46-year-old woman in connection with an incident in Edinburgh on 4 August 2010.

"The report is currently under consideration."

The warrant was issued after post mortem examinations were carried out on the children. It is thought the results showed they died before the explosion.

A report has now been submitted to the procurator fiscal who will decide whether to pursue a prosecution and what the charges will be.

Mrs Riggi and her husband Pasquale Riggi were locked in a bitter custody battle and on Tuesday a judge raised concerns over the children's safety when their mother failed to appear for divorce proceedings. Last month she went missing with the children for 10 days, prompting police to launch a search.

The children's father, who is divorcing his wife, earlier released a statement through Lothian and Borders Police, saying: "Our family is struggling to come to terms with the immense and tragic loss of three beautiful children.

"Thanks to all who have offered such great comfort and support. We request that the media respect our privacy at this difficult time."

Police traced Shell worker Mr Riggi to the Aberdeen area after the discovery in Edinburgh, where Mrs Riggi had been living since the beginning of July.

A judge warned that the children, who were at the centre of a custody battle, could be in danger just 24 hours before they were found dead.

Judge Lady Clark raised concerns about the welfare of the children after their mother failed to appear at a divorce hearing on Tuesday.

The family came from California and Colorado and Mr Riggi has worked for Shell since 1987.

He has been in Aberdeen for a number of years.