The mother of a British woman who was unlawfully killed after being shot by her father in Texas is preparing to travel to the US to try to persuade prosecutors to reopen the investigation into her daughter's death.

Jane Coates told the Press Association she has felt "incredibly alone" and "deserted by the British authorities" throughout her campaign for justice for her daughter Lucy Harrison, and has urged the Government to give her their full backing.

Speaking more than 19 months on from Ms Harrison's death, she said she hopes to meet the district attorney and campaign for a fresh investigation.

Background

Ms Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, was shot through the chest by her father, Kris Harrison, at his home in Prosper, Texas, on January 10, 2025, the day before she was due to fly home to the UK. A grand jury in Collin County later decided there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges after Mr Harrison claimed the Glock handgun discharged accidentally while he was showing it to his daughter.

In February this year, a coroner in England concluded Ms Harrison had been unlawfully killed, finding that her father's actions amounted to gross negligence manslaughter under UK law. Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish ruled that Mr Harrison's conduct had been "reckless," noting he had been drinking wine before removing a loaded Glock pistol from his bedside cabinet. The coroner concluded the gun could only have been fired after it was pointed at Ms Harrison and the trigger was pulled.

According to reports from Cheshire Live, Texas police did not conduct an alcohol test on Mr Harrison despite smelling alcohol on his breath.

The coroner's findings contrast sharply with the decision of the Collin County grand jury, which determined there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges.

Campaign for Justice

Ms Coates has now enlisted the help of Radd Seiger, who previously advised the family of Harry Dunn in their campaign for justice after the teenager was killed by a US citizen in a road crash in Northamptonshire. Mr Seiger said Ms Harrison's case was the type of complex international case that a review into the Government's handling of the Dunn case envisaged would receive senior-level support.

Explaining why she has felt "alone" throughout her campaign, Ms Coates said: "I think it's not being heard – just raising all of our concerns and nothing being acted upon, and feeling like we've just been deserted by the British authorities."

She added that her MP, Sarah Hall, "has done everything in her capacity to raise and escalate Lucy's case," but that it has felt like "there's been doors shut at every single opportunity."

Ms Coates, a deputy head teacher, described her daughter as her only child, making the loss even more profound.

Seeking Government Support

Ms Coates is calling on the Government to provide their complete support. The family has requested a meeting with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has confirmed it is reviewing recent correspondence from the family.

An FCDO spokeswoman said: "Our thoughts remain with Jane and her family for the tragic loss they have suffered. We were in contact with the family and provided consular support. We will always look to learn lessons to improve the consular support we offer to other families in the future."

The Collin County District Attorney's Office has been approached for comment.