Mother Demands Reopening of Lucy Harrison Shooting Case After UK Inquest Finds Unlawful Killing
Jane Coates, from Warrington, is calling for the US investigation into her daughter Lucy Harrison's death to be reopened. Lucy, 23, was shot and killed by her father, Kris Harrison, in Prosper, Texas, on 10 January 2025. A UK inquest into Lucy's death concluded that she was unlawfully killed, contradicting the US grand jury's decision not to indict her father.
Ms Coates contends that the Prosper Police Department's investigation lacked sufficient rigour and scrutiny. She highlighted that her daughter was tested for alcohol and drugs during her autopsy, while her father was not. Kris Harrison, described as a 'functioning alcoholic' who had been secretly drinking, provided written statements to the UK inquest, claiming the gun 'went off' as he showed it to Lucy.
Inquest Finds Reckless Actions
Cheshire's Senior Coroner, Jacqueline Devonish, determined that Kris Harrison's actions were 'reckless' and amounted to gross negligence manslaughter. This finding directly challenges the US grand jury's conclusion of insufficient evidence for charges.
Ms Coates expressed disbelief at the initial US police diagram of the room where Lucy was shot, stating it demonstrated her father's version of events 'just could not have been valid'. The Town of Prosper confirmed the case was referred to the Collin County District Attorney's Office after their investigation but declined further comment, citing potential ongoing review.
Warrington South MP Sarah Hall stated Lucy's death 'exposed serious gaps in the support available to British families when a loved one dies abroad in suspicious circumstances', highlighting the difficulties families face navigating complex foreign legal systems.
