Police appeal for witnesses after 'heroin death' probe re-opened

POLICE in England yesterday launched an appeal for witnesses as part of a fresh investigation into the death of 21-year-old heroin addict Rachel Whitear.

Ms Whitear’s parents, Mick and Pauline Holcroft, released shocking pictures of their daughter after her death in May 2000, in an attempt to warn others of the dangers of drugs.

The pictures showed Rachel slumped kneeling on the floor of her bedsit in Exmouth, Devon, a syringe in her hand.

It was originally thought she died of an overdose but the case was reopened after tests showed there was not enough of the drug in her blood to have caused death.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett, head of Wiltshire CID, yesterday launched an appeal for witnesses at Devon and Cornwall Police headquarters in Exeter.

He said: “I have been tasked to re-investigate the circumstances of Rachel’s death.

“I ask that anyone who has any information about either Rachel or her death that might assist me in this task to contact me.

“That would include people who knew Rachel and in particular people who had contact with her in the days leading up to her death.”

Mr Howlett added: “Clearly to lose a daughter in these circumstances is tragic.

“Rachel's parents are keen to obtain a greater understanding of what caused Rachel to die and that is at the very heart of my own investigation.”