Pubdate: Thu, 05 Oct 2006
Source: Mirror, The (UK)
Copyright: 2006 The Mirror
Contact:  http://www.mirror.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1161
Author: Victoria Bone
Note: MAP archives articles exactly as published, except that our 
editors may redact the names and addresses of accused persons who 
have not been convicted of a crime, if those named are not otherwise 
public figures or officials

PARENTS WIN COURT BATTLE

Six Years After The Body Of Drug Addict Rachel Whiter  Shocked 
Britain A Judge Orders A Second Inquest To Find  Out How She Died

SIX years on from her death, the family of tragic  heroin victim 
Rachel Whitear yesterday came a step  closer to finding out how she died.

When the 21-year-old's body was discovered in her  bedsit in May 
2000, she was written off as just another  appalling overdose statistic.

But mum Pauline Holcroft and stepdad Mick have always  claimed there 
are a lot of unanswered questions about  the case.

Yesterday, they hailed a decision to hold a new inquest  into the 
death of Rachel - whose image was used in a  graphic anti-drugs campaign.

Mum Pauline said outside the High Court: "Even from the  very day 
Rachel's body was discovered, we were never  entirely happy that 
everything possible was being done  to try and discover exactly why 
and how she died.

"There was always a nagging suspicion her death had  been regarded as 
just one more inconsequential drugs  statistic and that she was a bit 
of a nuisance." Police  now say "significant new evidence" may 
provide the  answers she and Mick have been seeking.

They had been heartbroken at watching her descent from  a fresh-faced 
schoolgirl a few years earlier into  heroin addict.

And the whole country was shocked by the photo of her  blackened 
corpse slumped on the floor of her dingy digs  in Exmouth, Devon, a 
discarded syringe nearby. Two sets  of finger-prints were found on 
the syringe, suggesting  she did not die alone.

Suspicion fell on junkie ex-boyfriend [Name redacted] ,  31, who lied 
to police about when last he saw her. But  he maintained his 
innocence and the CPS ruled there was  insufficient evidence to press charges.

Yet the inconclusive nature of the inquiry that  followed the tragedy 
death left Pauline and Mick  determined to seek justice for Rachel.

Devon and Cornwall Police were so sure it was a  straightforward 
overdose that they failed to hold a  postmortem. And that December an 
inquest recorded an  open verdict, citing the cause of death as 
"unascertained".

But her family refused to let matters lie. And their  tireless 
campaigning began to pay off when, in 2003,  officers from 
neighbouring Wiltshire reopened the  probe.

The force's lawyer Russell Fortt told the court  yesterday 
"significant new evidence, the disquiet of  the family, the public 
interest and the shortcomings of  the original inquest" justified 
further action.

Judge Lord Justice Maurice Kay blasted the initial  coroner for "not 
ensuring a further toxicology test and  a post-mortem were carried out.

"A tragic death which attracted and continues to  attract extensive 
public interest has received the most  inconclusive findings from an 
inadequate inquest", he  said. A new hearing might return "something 
other than  an open verdict", he added.

Wilts chief superintendent Paul Howlett said he now  hoped the ruling 
would help bring closure to Pauline  and Mick's quest.

He said: "It's my hope this process will enable them to  obtain a 
greater understanding of the circumstances of  their daughter's death 
through addressing some of their  previously unanswered questions."

Pauline said: "We're heartened. We feel this is a fair  and just 
result for Rachel and ourselves."

LONG CAMPAIGN

This Is How The Story Unfolded:

MAY 12, 2000: Rachel's body found in Exmouth.

DEC 2000: Coroner Richard Van Oppen is "cer tain" she  did not die of overdose.

MAY 2003: Police Complaints Authority orders new  inquiry by Wilts 
police after parents Pauline and Mick  Holcroft raise concerns about 
Devon and Cornwall police  probe.

FEB 2004: Parents say body can be exhumed.

MARCH 2004: Police say preliminary postmortem results  show she did 
not die of disease or "physical trauma".

AUG 2004: Detectives say no evidence of foul play -  tests show death 
was probably heroin-related.

JUNE 2005: Coroner Elizabeth Earland rules out fresh hearing.

Parents "extremely disappointed and perplexed" - backed  by Ian 
Bynoe, of Independent Police Complaints  Commission, and Chief Supt 
Paul Howlett, of Wilts  police.

MARCH 2006: Mr Howlett asks High Court to quash inquest verdict.

SEPT 2006: He announces yesterday's hearing.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine