‘No evidence’ exhumed heroin addict was murdered

THE police officer leading the new inquiry into the death of Rachel Whitear said today that the preliminary results of a post-mortem showed she had not died of a disease or “physical trauma”.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett said it was still possible the 21-year-old heroin addict may have suffered a drugs-related death before her body was discovered in her Exmouth, Devon bedsit in May, 2000.

The officer released the findings of the day Ms Whitear’s remains were exhumed from her grave in Withington, Herefordshire, as part of a fresh inquiry into her death four years ago.

Supt Howlett told reporters: “I can state following the post mortem there is no evidence to immediately indicate Rachel died from a natural disease.

The officer added: “It continues to be the case that Rachel’s death might have been drugs-related.

“It is my hope that greater clarity will be achieved when further toxicology tests have been completed, which will take about five weeks.”

Asked if he now ruled out the possibility Ms Whitear was murdered, Supt Howlett said there were no signs of unlawful violence. “That being the case, there is no evidence to suggest Rachel was murdered as a result of excess force.”

Supt Howlett spoke shortly after Ms Whitear’s mother and stepfather, Pauline and Mick Holcroft, attended a brief re-interment ceremony more than five hours after attending the exhumation.

The police officer said the post mortem examination had provided 54-year-old Mrs Holcroft and her husband, 55, with a “greater understanding of what appears not to be Rachel’s cause of death”.