Mum of British woman, 23, shot dead by her own father in US gives huge update on case
The mum of a British woman who was shot dead by her dad at close range has issued a fresh update on the case.
Lucy Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, in Cheshire, was shot through the chest by her father, Kris Harrison, at his home in Prosper, Texas, on 10 January last year.
She had been due to fly back home to the UK with her boyfriend the next day but tragically never made it.
Now her mum Jane Coates is travelling back to the US to try and persuade prosecutor's to re-open the case, as she has been left 'without the answers she deserves'.
Advert
A coroner earlier this year concluded that Lucy had been unlawfully killed, finding that her father’s actions amounted to gross negligence manslaughter under UK law.
Police in Texas had investigated her death as possible manslaughter but no criminal case was brought against her.
A grand jury instead decided there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.
Mr Harrison had instead claimed the Glock handgun discharged accidentally while he was showing it to his daughter.
Previously, Lucy's mum Jane said she had expected the unlawful killing conclusion to become a turning point in her campaign for justice.
She explained: “We had to wait until February 2026 before we felt that we could freely speak about what we felt had happened to Lucy and how let down we felt.
“Receiving the unlawful killing outcome was a day full of complete mixed emotions, but one where finally Lucy’s truth and voice has been heard in some capacity.
“But from then it still hasn’t moved things forward in terms of my request for a reopening of the investigation in Texas.”
Mum travels to Texas in desperate bid for answers
It was revealed last month that Jane had been hoping to travel to the US to meet the district attorney and campaign for a fresh investigation to be held.
She is now doing so with 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.
Updates are being shared via their online campaign 'For Luce'.
In an update, they announced on Sunday (27 September) that they had touched down in Dallas, but that Prosper Police and the District Attorney had 'refused to meet' with the family.
A new statement, shared on behalf of the family, read: "Our door remains open to them should they change their minds.
"Jane is here because, 20 months after Lucy was shot and killed in Prosper, she still doesn’t have the answers she deserves.
"The case for now reopening the investigation into what happened to Lucy can no longer reasonably be ignored.
"We have come to Dallas to seek justice. Anyone in Jane’s position would do the same, including those in authority here if Lucy were their child. It is the right thing to do."
They will be completing media rounds over the coming days and 'putting our case to them' the statement continued.
"In Lucy’s case, Harrison says the gun just went off. We are not prepared to simply accept that explanation without asking whether it was properly tested.
"We are going to keep putting the evidence and the questions in front of the people responsible and in front of the public in the United States.
"If this investigation really was thorough and complete, then show us why.
"If, however, as we strongly suspect, it was not thorough and complete, then the case needs to be reopened and independently reinvestigated. It is the only credible way forward."
A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said previously: "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."
James Holt