Fresh inquest ordered into student's death
The family of a young student whose body featured in a graphic anti-drugs campaign today won their battle for a fresh inquest into her death.
Her parents had argued at a hearing at the High Court in London that there had been a failure to carry out a "full, fair and fearless" investigation into her death.
Rachel Whitear's mother and stepfather, Pauline and Mick Holcroft, were present in the London courtroom as two judges gave the go-ahead for the new inquest.
Their 21-year-old daughter was found dead in a bedsit in Exmouth, Devon, six years ago and an inquest in December 2000 recorded an open verdict, leaving the cause of death as "unascertained".
At court today they backed a move by Wiltshire Police for a court order overturning the original verdict so that a fresh hearing can be held in an attempt to establish a positive cause of death.
Lord Justice Maurice Kay and Mr Justice Bean will give their reasons later this afternoon for their decision.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.