Scarlett mother admits regrets as daughter's body flown home Thursday, 27 Mar 2008 08:27
The mother of the UK teenager raped and murdered in Goa has admitted she regrets leaving her daughter alone in the Indian state. But as 15-year-old Scarlett Keeling's body is flown home to Devon via Mumbai, Fiona MacKeown revealed she does not think she made the "wrong choice". Scarlett, whose body was found on a beach in Goa on February 19th, was allowed to remain in the holiday resort with her 25-year-old boyfriend while her mother and family travelled elsewhere. "I wish I could turn back the clock and say no, don't go back," Ms MacKeown told Sky News. "She was going back to see a friend whose mother had died and she wanted to take flowers. Four days later she was dead." Ms MacKeown is returning home with her daughter's body but has vowed to return to Goa as she fears Scarlett's murder and rape "would be forgotten" otherwise. Police initially said the teenager's death was accidental and that she had drowned after taking drugs. But a second post-mortem revealed injuries consistent with murder, which led to two people being arrested, both of whom remain in custody. A police officer has already been suspended amid claims of a cover-up, while the original pathologist has also temporarily stepped down. "I don't want Scarlett's death to be treated like it was nothing," Ms MacKeown continued. "It was a hideous, serious thing which happened to her and by trying to cover it up they are saying her life was worthless. "If I just went away it would be like I was agreeing with them. If I could stop it happening to someone else, it would make it worth it." http://www.inthenews.co.uk/news/autocodes/countries/india/scarlett-mothe r-admits-regrets-as-daughters-body-flown-home-$1215689.htm ~(^^)~ Avelino
