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18:33 GMT, Saturday, 22 March 2008

Scarlett 'was held under water'

Scarlett Keeling

British teenager Scarlett Keeling was killed after her head was held under water, a pathologist's report into her death in Goa is expected to say.

The report from Goa Medical College is expected to rule out the possibility that the 15-year-old died from a drugs overdose.

It is expected to say she died from asphyxiation under water, after being held down for five to ten minutes.

Her mother said she was "shocked but not surprised".

Fiona MacKeown, from Bideford in Devon, has criticised the police handling of the case, as they initially reported Scarlett had accidentally drowned.

Following further investigations they said she was drugged and raped before being left for dead on a beach in the Indian resort.

Lawyer Vikram Varma, who is expecting to see the report on Sunday, said of the latest findings: "That would make it forced homicide, which is murder.

"It is what we've been saying all along and what the police have been trying to cover up."

Ms MacKeown, said: "I looked at her body and the bruising on her head and face and shoulder is consistent with this. She struggled, she kicked, she tried to stay alive.

"I'm just horrified that the police are still covering up my daughter's death. Who are they covering for? It must be someone very important."

Two men have been arrested over the death of Scarlett, who was found semi-naked on Anjuna beach on 19 February.

Samson D'Souza, 28, has been charged with rape and Placido Carvalho is being questioned on suspicion of involvement in her rape and murder.

Scarlett had been left at the resort with a friend while the rest of the family travelled further afield.

Ms MacKeown has faced allegations she neglected her daughter.

She was on a six-month holiday with her boyfriend, Scarlett and six other younger children.



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