A SECOND inquest could be held into the death of heroin addict Rachel Whitear, pictured, after Wiltshire Police applied for a verdict recorded in December 2000 to be quashed.
The force is re-investigating the 21-year-old's death in an Exmouth flat six years ago, after a complaint was made by her parents about the way Devon and Cornwall Police handled the inquiry.
There has been speculation Miss Whitear could have been murdered. An open verdict was recorded at the first inquest. The Attorney General has backed the force's call for a second inquest and a claim has been lodged with the High Court. Miss Whitear's body was exhumed in March 2004.
Details of the claim are being served on the other parties involved, namely HM Coroner for Devon and Rachel's family. Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett, who is leading the inquiry, said: "The claim seeks an order that the original outcome of Rachel's inquest is quashed and there be a new inquest into her death.
"It may be several weeks before we know what the response to this claim will be and I cannot say when the court will be hearing the claim."
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