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Force 'failures' in Whitear death Whitear probe 'miserable failure'
(about 2 hours later)
A police force has been blamed for "organisational failure" over its investigation into the death of student Rachel Whitear from a heroin overdose. The mother of a student who died from a heroin overdose has called the police investigation a "miserable failure".
An Independent Police Complaints Commission report criticised Devon and Cornwall police's handling of the case. Rachel Whitear's mother Pauline said she wanted a "full apology" from Devon and Cornwall Police.
This included lax procedures once her body was discovered in an Exmouth bedsit and the decision not to carry out a post-mortem examination. An Independent Police Complaints Commission report criticised the force's handling of the investigation.
Rachel Whitear, 21, from Herefordshire, died of a heroin overdose in 2000. It alleged there were lax procedures after her body was found in an Exmouth bedsit and criticised the decision not to hold a post-mortem examination.
"The pathologist stated he did not take a post-mortem because of Rachel's potential HIV status," Rachel's mother said.
"Why was this allowed to be an excuse not to carry out this vital examination that could have confirmed to us how Rachel died and if foul play was involved?"
We will never know whether Rachel was alone when she died Pauline and Mick Holcroft, Rachel's parents
Rachel, 21, from Herefordshire, died of a heroin overdose in 2000.
The investigation by Wiltshire Police into the Devon and Cornwall force's handling of Rachel's death found that potential lines of inquiry were not pursued.The investigation by Wiltshire Police into the Devon and Cornwall force's handling of Rachel's death found that potential lines of inquiry were not pursued.
One involved a missing tobacco tin which potentially indicated someone might have entered Rachel's house before her death.One involved a missing tobacco tin which potentially indicated someone might have entered Rachel's house before her death.
The other was a change of account by her boyfriend, Luke Fitzgerald, about his last contact with her prior to her death.The other was a change of account by her boyfriend, Luke Fitzgerald, about his last contact with her prior to her death.
Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett of Wiltshire police said: "It has been assessed, however, that neither of these omissions amount to a breach of the Police Code of Conduct by individual officers, but do indicate a general organisational failure within Devon and Cornwall Police. " Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett, of Wiltshire Police, said: "It has been assessed, however, that neither of these omissions amount to a breach of the Police Code of Conduct by individual officers, but do indicate a general organisational failure within Devon and Cornwall Police. "
We will never know whether Rachel was alone when she died Pauline and Mick Holcroft, Rachel's parents 'Never resolved'
Rachel's story hit the headlines when her parents, Pauline and Mick Holcroft from Herefordshire, gave permission for a photo of her dead body holding a syringe to be used in an anti drugs campaign. Rachel's story hit the headlines when her parents, Pauline and Mick Holcroft, gave permission for a photo of her dead body holding a syringe to be used in an anti drugs campaign.
They have spent years campaigning for the circumstances surrounding her death to be more fully investigated.They have spent years campaigning for the circumstances surrounding her death to be more fully investigated.
Speaking after the report was published on Thursday they described the original investigation as a "miserable failure", particularly the decision to not carry out a post-mortem examination.
"The pathologist stated he did not take a post mortem because of Rachel's potential HIV status.
"Why was this allowed to be an excuse not to carry out this vital examination that could have confirmed to us how Rachel died and if foul play was involved?"
Rachel's parents allowed this photo to be used in an anti-drugs campaignRachel's parents allowed this photo to be used in an anti-drugs campaign
Asst Chief Cons Paul Netherton from Devon and Cornwall police said: "We are sorry that Rachel's parents have had to suffer the anguish of a protracted investigation that must have been harrowing. Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton, from Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "We are sorry that Rachel's parents have had to suffer the anguish of a protracted investigation that must have been harrowing.
"We are also sorry that the absence of a post-mortem means that they are left with unanswered questions which can never now be resolved.""We are also sorry that the absence of a post-mortem means that they are left with unanswered questions which can never now be resolved."
It was Rachel's parents' quest for answers which led the investigation into her death being reopened and a second inquest in 2007 which concluded she had died from a heroin overdose.It was Rachel's parents' quest for answers which led the investigation into her death being reopened and a second inquest in 2007 which concluded she had died from a heroin overdose.
The inquest could not give a ruling on whether Rachel gave herself the fatal injection.The inquest could not give a ruling on whether Rachel gave herself the fatal injection.
Rachel's parents said: "We will never know who administered that final dose and whether Rachel was alone when she died."Rachel's parents said: "We will never know who administered that final dose and whether Rachel was alone when she died."