POLICE are investigating the death of a diabetic boy who died two days after disappearing from an Edinburgh City Council-run care home.

Thirteen-year-old Blake Ross, who has type 1 diabetes left the St Katherine's Centre close support unit in Howdenhall on Saturday afternoon without his vital medication.

On Monday afternoon, Police Scotland announced the teenager had been found to be unwell on a bus but it was revealed he died the same night.

A close friend of the family said that the family were "devastated" and wanted to grieve in private.

Police confirmed that they were looking into what happened to young Blake in the two days he was missing before he died, and were trying to trace his movements.

Now the Crown Office has said it has directed the police watchdog "to carry out an independent investigation into police actions relating to the death".

The Crown Office said a report on the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) findings will be submitted to the them in due course.

And the Care Inspectorate has been informed there be will be a significant case review, involving of police, the health service, the council, and social work teams, commissioned by Michelle Miller, chairman of the Edinburgh Child Protection Committee and the council's chief social work officer. The council says it is standard practice when a child in care dies and is expected to be carried out by independent expert.

The Herald:

One close relative said during the search: "He's only just on new medication and he doesn't even understand it."

Another friend said that Blake had been "passed from pillar to post through the foster care system".

St Katherine's Centre forms part of the council's Edinburgh Secure Services Close Support Unit with stated aims to "provide young people, whose behaviours pose a serious risk to themselves or others, a safe, secure, supportive, and stimulating environment in which they will achieve their full potential, develop respect for themselves and for others and be assisted in gaining an understanding of the attitude, skills and knowledge that will enable them to return safely to their communities".

The local authority is also probing the death riddle.

It is understood Blake had been part of an “open care arrangement” where he was being schooled at the unit but living at home.

Blake was discovered unwell on a Lothian Bus at around 4pm on Monday.

Police confirmed he had an underlying health condition, and that Blake was taken to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Edinburgh, where he died at around 9pm that evening.

Police Scotland said his death continued to being treated as unexplained and that inquiries were continuing.

It was undertood on Monday afternoon that police had felt it is premature to say that he died as a result of not having his meds.

Two gofundme.com campaigns have been set up to help with funeral costs.

One by Stacey Reilly has had the most traction and raised over £500 in nine hours with a target of £1000.

The Herald:

Superintendent Lesley Clark of Edinburgh Division said: “This is a tragic death of a young boy and our thoughts are with Blake's family at this very difficult time.

"In the coming days and weeks we will be working with our relevant partners to support his loved ones and provide them with all the necessary support and assistance they require.

"In addition, we will be continuing to conduct our investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding Blake's death and submit our findings to the Procurator Fiscal.

“Our inquiries are ongoing and we would ask anyone with information regarding Blake’s movements between the afternoon of Saturday 11th February and Monday 13th February to contact us on 101.”

A City of Edinburgh Council spokesperson said: “We are deeply shocked at Blake’s sudden death and our thoughts are with his family. We will continue to liaise closely with Police Scotland as they carry out their enquiries.”

A spokeswoman for the Care Inspectorate said: "We have been properly notified of this tragic event and our thoughts are with all those affected.

"We are working closely with the care service and city of Edinburgh council at this time.

"Whenever any young person in care dies, we look carefully at all the circumstances."