'No evidence' Rachel was murdered

Miss Whitear's parents thanked the police

The initial results of a post-mortem on the body of drug addict Rachel Whitear showed she did not die of a disease or "physical trauma", say police.

On Tuesday a post-mortem examination was carried out on the 21-year-old's body as part of a reinvestigation into her death four years ago.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett said it was still possible Miss Whitear's death was drugs-related.

The findings were released on the day her remains were exhumed.

Toxicology tests

Following the post-mortem Miss Whitear's coffin was taken back to the church in Withington, Herefordshire, in a hearse for a re-interment ceremony.

Her mother and stepfather, Pauline and Mick Holcroft, were driven back to the church followed by close friends and relatives.

Doctors in Hereford have carried out a post-mortem

The couple attended a brief reinterment ceremony more than five hours after they witnessed the exhumation.

Mr Howlett said: "There is no evidence to suggest Rachel was murdered as a result of excess force.

"I can state that following the post-mortem there is no evidence to immediately indicate that Rachel died from a natural disease.

"It is also the case that there is no evidence to indicate that Rachel suffered any significant physical trauma that could have accounted for her death.

"It continues to be the case that Rachel's death might have been drug-related.

Open verdict

"It is my hope that there will be greater clarity regarding this possibility when further toxicology tests have been completed which should take about five weeks."

He said the post-mortem had provided Miss Whitear's parents with a "greater understanding of what appears not to be Rachel's cause of death".

Mr and Mrs Holcroft, who were present for the final stages of their daughter's exhumation, thanked Mr Howlett and his team and "all those professionals for the very patient and dignified way they have carried out their difficult task".

Ms Whitear, from Ledbury, Herefordshire, was found dead in a flat in Exmouth in May 2000.

No post-mortem examination was carried out at the time and an inquest into her death recorded an open verdict.

A new inquiry was launched after her mother and stepfather raised concerns about the initial investigation into her death.