RACHEL'S BODY TO BE EXHUMED

The body of heroin addict Rachel Whitear is to be exhumed as part of the
reinvestigation into her death.

A photo of the 21-year-old's dead body showing her crouching face down with
a syringe in her hand was released as a warning of the dangers of drugs.

Her death in Exmouth, Devon, four years ago was presumed to be an overdose,
but no post-mortem examination was done.

A blood test later revealed there was not enough heroin in the student's
blood to kill her.

The coroner recorded an open verdict into her death.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett, head of CID at Wiltshire
Police, confirmed the decision to dig up Ms Whitear's grave on Friday.

He was joined by her mother and stepfather, Pauline and Mick Holcroft, at a
news conference at Hereford racecourse.

Reading from a statement, Mr Holcroft said: "This has obviously been a very
difficult few years for Pauline, myself and our family, culminating in
today's announcement.

"Nothing can prepare a family for this.

"Although we are enormously saddened, we are coming to terms with the fact
that an exhumation of Rachel's body is necessary."

The couple, from Withington in Herefordshire, have been critical of the
Devon and Cornwall Police investigation into their daughter's death.

Wiltshire Police took over the inquiry after it was voluntarily referred to
the Police Complaints Authority.

As part of their investigation, two officers flew to Greece to speak to Ms
Whitear's drugs counsellor, one of the last people to see her alive.

Asked for her reaction to the decision to exhume her daughter's body, Mrs
Holcroft replied: "It is very upsetting.

"All we really want is a closure on it, but we know that may never happen.

"This is an opportunity to find out. It is difficult to live not knowing or
understanding what your daughter died from." Mr Holcroft added: "In the
search for the truth, it is absolutely necessary."

Mr Howlett said he was unable to give a cause of death with any certainty
because a post mortem examination had not been carried out.

Heroin in syringe

A forensic medical expert has now said that carrying out such a procedure
could help to give a cause of death, despite the passage of time.

Asked if there was heroin in the syringe she was clutching when her body was
discovered, he said: "I think it is inconclusive at this time."

Two men from the Midlands were arrested in connection with Ms Whitear's
death last year.

The PCA confirmed in October that neither would face any charges.

No date has been set for the exhumation of Ms Whitear's body, which is
buried at St Peter's church in Withington.