The mother of a British woman who was unlawfully killed after being shot by her father in Texas is preparing to travel to the United States in a renewed attempt to persuade prosecutors to reopen the case.
Jane Coates, whose 23-year-old daughter Lucy Harrison died in January 2025, says she has felt “incredibly alone” and “deserted by the British authorities” during her 19-month campaign for justice.
Lucy, a fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, was fatally shot at the home of her father, Kris Harrison, in Prosper, Texas, on 10 January 2025, just one day before she was due to fly home to the UK.
A grand jury later declined to bring charges after Mr Harrison said the Glock handgun discharged accidentally while he was showing it to his daughter.
Coroner ruled Lucy was unlawfully killed
However, an inquest held in England reached a starkly different conclusion.
In February 2026, a coroner ruled that Lucy had been unlawfully killed, finding that her father’s actions would amount to gross negligence manslaughter under UK law.
The inquest heard that Mr Harrison had been drinking wine before removing a loaded handgun from his bedside cabinet.
It was also told that police officers in Texas did not carry out an alcohol test despite smelling alcohol on his breath.
The coroner concluded that the weapon could only have discharged if it had been pointed towards Lucy and the trigger pulled.
Ms Coates had hoped the unlawful killing conclusion would mark a turning point in her campaign, but says it has so far failed to result in the case being reconsidered in Texas.
Mother preparing to meet US prosecutors
She has now sought the assistance of adviser Radd Seiger, who became widely known for his work supporting the family of British teenager Harry Dunn following his death in a road collision involving US citizen Anne Sacoolas.
Ms Coates plans to travel to Texas with Mr Seiger and seek meetings with officials at the Collin County District Attorney’s Office.
Her aim is to persuade prosecutors to consider the findings of the British coroner and reopen the investigation into Lucy’s death.
Ms Coates acknowledges that the legal systems and jurisdictions are different but believes serious questions remain about the original investigation.
She said she wants US prosecutors to “accept the coroner’s findings” and reconsider whether further action should be taken.
Calls for UK Government support
Ms Coates is also calling on the UK Government to publicly support the family’s campaign.
She stressed that she is not asking ministers or the Foreign Office to interfere with the American justice system, but wants the Government to acknowledge what her family has endured and stand behind their efforts to secure answers.
She hopes to meet Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and senior officials to seek assurances over the Government’s support.
The prolonged campaign has also taken a significant emotional toll.
Ms Coates said the constant fight for answers has left her with little opportunity to properly grieve for her daughter and described the second year following Lucy’s death as “much harder” than the first.
She described being torn between being a grieving mother and becoming a campaigner for justice.
“Lucy is one person, but she represents doing the right thing whether in the UK or the US.”
Foreign Office reviewing family’s correspondence
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office 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.”
It is understood Foreign Office officials are reviewing recent correspondence from Lucy Harrison’s family and intend to respond.
Ms Coates’ planned trip to Texas represents the latest stage of a campaign now lasting more than 19 months as she continues to press for the circumstances surrounding her daughter’s death to be reconsidered by US authorities.
