Rachel parents criticise police inquiry

Pictures of Rachel's body were used in an anti-drugs campaign

The parents of a woman thought to have died from a drugs overdose in Devon have criticised Devon and Cornwall Police over their investigation of her death.

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

Pauline and Mick Holcroft said if the investigation into the 21-year-old's death had been more thoroughly carried out "then we may have had a different outcome".

Their comments follow a decision not to bring any criminal charges against two men arrested during the inquiry.

We are obviously very disappointed with this outcome Pauline and Mick Holcroft

Shocking images of Rachel's body when it was discovered in a Devon bed-sit were distributed around the country after Mr and Mrs Holcroft agreed to release them as part of an anti-drugs campaign.

Rachel was thought to have died from a heroin overdose and police arrested two men from the Midlands in connection with her death.

An inquest recorded an open verdict and the case was reopened after Rachel's body was exhumed and tests showed there was not enough of the drug in her blood to have killed her.

Wiltshire Police are currently investigating Rachel's death following the original inquiry by Devon and Cornwall Police.

But the Police Complaints Authority confirmed on Friday that no charges would be brought against either of the men arrested.

Mr and Mrs Holcroft said in a statement: "We received a letter from the Crown Prosecution Service outlining the reasons why no criminal charges are to be brought in connection with Rachel's death.

'Different outcome'

"The lack of criminal charges appears to centre mainly on lack of evidence and it not being in the public interest.

"As the investigation is still continuing into the cause of Rachel's death, we do not wish to make any further comment at this stage.

"However, we are obviously very disappointed with this outcome and firmly believe that if the investigation had been thoroughly carried out back in May 2000, then we may have had a different outcome."

A spokeswoman for Devon and Cornwall Police said they did not wish to comment on Mr and Mrs Holcroft's statement.

A spokesman for the Police Complaints Authority, which is supervising the Wiltshire force's inquiry, said: "The inquiry is still ongoing, therefore we are not in a position to comment at all.

"It would be invidious to do so while the investigation is still being carried out.