Court approves second Whitear inquest

LONDON, Oct 4 (Reuters) Appeal Court judges has ordered a second inquest into the death of Rachel Whitear, a heroin addict whose photograph was featured in a shocking anti-drugs campaign.

Whitear, 21, was found dead in a Devon bedsit with a needle in her hand in May 2000.

A picture of her lifeless body was released by her parents and published in national newspapers to highlight the dangers of drugs.

At the first inquest into her death in December 2000, the coroner recorded an open verdict, saying the only certainty was that: ''Rachel did not die from heroin''.

No post mortem was held before her burial and initial blood tests suggested she had not taken enough heroin to die from an overdose.

Wiltshire Police were called in to examine the case after doubts were raised about the cause of death. Whitear's body was exhumed in 2004 as part of their inquiry.

Forensic experts concluded that no third party was involved and police said new tests suggested her death was related to heroin.

Outside court, Whitear's parents welcomed the second inquest and praised Wiltshire Police for taking the case to the appeal court.

''We have always wanted to know as much truth as possible, but never really particularly doubted that it was heroin-associated,'' her mother Pauline Holcroft told reporters.

''In our hearts we always felt it to be true.'' REUTERS MS PM1714