US4 min(s) read
The mother of a British woman who was fatally shot by her father in Texas has traveled back to the United States in a renewed bid to get answers over her daughter's death.
Lucy Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, was shot in the chest by her father, Kris Harrison, at his home in Prosper, Texas, on January 10 last year, having been due to return to the UK with her boyfriend the following day.
Now her mother, Jane Coates, has returned to the US and is seeking to persuade prosecutors to reopen the investigation, saying she still does not have the answers she believes her daughter deserves.
A coroner in the UK concluded earlier this year that Lucy had been unlawfully killed. The finding stated that, under UK law, her father's actions amounted to gross negligence manslaughter, despite no criminal conviction being pursued.
Texas authorities had initially investigated Lucy's death as a possible manslaughter, but found there was no criminal conduct, with a grand jury ultimately concluding that there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges.
Kris Harrison has maintained that the shooting was an accident, telling investigators that the Glock handgun discharged while he was showing the weapon to his daughter, despite Lucy’s family questioning that account.
Jane said she hoped the unlawful killing conclusion would finally lead to progress in the family's efforts to have the Texas investigation reopened.
“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,” she explained.
“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.”
Jane's latest trip to the US comes after she previously revealed plans to meet with the district attorney and push for the case to be examined again.
She is being supported by campaigner Radd Seiger, who previously worked with the family of Harry Dunn after the British teenager was killed in a road collision involving the wife of a US diplomat in Northamptonshire.
The family's campaign is being documented online through its 'For Luce' campaign, with Jane updating supporters, revealing that she had arrived in Dallas.
However, according to the family, both Prosper Police and the District Attorney's Office had “refused to meet” with them.
A statement released on behalf of the family said their “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.”
The family said Jane would spend the coming days speaking to the media and “putting our case to them”.
“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,” it said.
“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.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has previously said it remains in contact with Lucy's family.
A spokesperson said: “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.”
