Plea for second Whitear inquest

The image of Rachel Whitear's body was used in a campaign

Detectives investigating the death of a 21-year-old heroin addict have formally launched legal proceedings to ask for a new inquest.

Rachel Whitear, from Ledbury, Herefordshire, was found holding a needle in a room in Exmouth, Devon, in May 2000, in an apparent overdose.

An earlier inquest recorded an open verdict.

Wiltshire Police already have the backing of the Attorney General to ask the High Court for a new inquest.

The move follows new information about her death amid speculation that she may have been murdered.

Legal representatives for the force have now lodged a claim with the courts that seeks to quash the original outcome of Rachel's inquest allowing a new one to be heard.

The student's body was exhumed in March 2004 and Wiltshire Police were brought in to carry out a fresh inquiry.

A full report into her death was submitted to Dr Elizabeth Earland, Coroner for Exeter and Greater Devon last year, but she decided there were no grounds for a fresh inquest.