Burial 2012 Scarlett Keeling’s body will finally be put to rest four yrs after UK teen’s murder in Goa
THE body of a British schoolgirl raped and murdered in Goa can finally be buried four years after her death — following claims of a communication blunder by Indian authorities and UK’s Foreign Office.
Scarlett Keeling, 15, was sexually assaulted and left for dead on Anjuna beach in February 2008 after taking a cocktail of drugs.
Months later, following two post- mortem tests in Goa, her body was brought back to Britain but has lain in a mortuary at an Exeter hospital amid the ongoing trial of two men charged over her death.
A third pathology examination was carried out three years ago following a request by Greater Devon coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland.
But the UK’s Foreign Office have only now informed the coroner that Goan authorities have given the green light for the body to be released.
It is not known when Goa granted permission.
But Scarlett’s mother Fiona MacKeown believes a lack of communication between the two governments led to a delay.
The schoolgirl, who had been left with a 25- year- old Goan boyfriend while her mother travelled with her six other children, will be buried near the family’s rural home in Brandiworthy. A funeral will be held on June 17 — which would have been Scarlett’s 20th birthday.
MacKeown, who claims Goan authorities engaged in a cover- up to prevent the beach paradise’s “ seedy underbelly” from being exposed, said she was relieved that she can finally lay her daughter to rest — but angry about the delay.
She said: “ It’s a relief to bring her home where she belongs back with us. I have been expecting it for four years but it could have been another four years.”
But she said she was “ disgusted” with the lack of communication between the Indian authorities and UK’s Foreign Office which meant Scarlett’s body could have been released to the family three years ago.
MacKeown, 48, said the family has been through “ a living hell”. The mother- of- nine, who was 130 km away in Karnataka when Scarlett died, faced allegations of neglect in Goa amid claims that she allowed her daughter to use drugs.
Scarlett, who had been dating tour guide Julio Lobo at the time of her death, had been photographed rolling what appeared to be cannabis joint.
MacKeown refused to attend
the court in Goa over the claims in October 2008. But two years ago, she was hauled before Exeter Crown Court and convicted of benefits fraud and narrowly avoided jail.
Scarlett suffered 50 separate injuries in the attack in February 2008 but all but five of those were missed at the original post mortem, which found she drowned accidentally. The police initially said it had been caused by Scarlett hitting her head and body on the seabed. But a second post- mortem showed she had been raped and murdered. Tests showed she had taken ecstasy, cocaine and LSD before her death.
The case is being heard at the Goa children’s court in Panaji.
The trial, which began in April 2010, is yet to reach a conclusion.
Scores of witnesses, including MacKeown, have ben examined to establish the guilt of the accused — bartender Samson D’Souza and alleged drug dealer Placido Carvalho — charged with drugging, sexually assaulting and leaving the 15- year- old to die on the beach.
MacKeown had told the court then home minister Ravi Naik’s son Roy was responsible for Scarlett’s death, but he was never interrogated.
Daily Mail and Mail Today Bureau in Panaji Two Goan men are charged with drugging her and sexually assaulting her, then leaving her to die on the beach in the early hours of morning