The mother of a British woman who was fatally shot in Texas has announced plans to travel to the United States in an effort to persuade prosecutors to revisit the case.
Jane Coates, whose daughter Lucy Harrison died in January 2025, says she remains determined to secure a fresh investigation despite previous decisions by American authorities not to bring criminal charges.
More than a year and a half after the tragedy, Coates says she hopes direct engagement with officials in Texas could help bring new attention to the case and encourage prosecutors to reconsider the evidence.
Fatal Shooting in Texas Home
Lucy Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, was visiting her father, Kris Harrison, at his home in Prosper, Texas, when she was shot in the chest on January 10, 2025. The incident occurred only hours before she was scheduled to return to the United Kingdom.
Following an investigation, a grand jury in Collin County concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges. Kris Harrison maintained that the shooting was accidental, claiming the Glock handgun discharged while he was showing it to his daughter.
Coroner’s Verdict Contrasts With Texas Findings
The case took a significant turn in February 2026 when an inquest in England reached a different conclusion. Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish ruled that Lucy Harrison had been unlawfully killed, finding that her father’s actions amounted to gross negligence manslaughter under English law.
During the proceedings, evidence was presented suggesting Harrison had consumed alcohol before handling a loaded firearm.
The coroner concluded that the weapon could only have discharged after being pointed at Lucy and the trigger being pulled. The hearing also heard that Texas officers did not conduct an alcohol test despite reportedly detecting alcohol on Kris Harrison’s breath.
Mother Says She Feels Abandoned
Coates has spoken publicly about her frustration with what she describes as a lack of support from British authorities. While praising her local Member of Parliament, Sarah Hall, for advocating on the family’s behalf, she said broader efforts to gain official backing have left her feeling isolated.
According to Coates, the unlawful killing verdict gave her hope that momentum would build behind calls for a renewed investigation. However, she says little progress has been made since the coroner’s findings were delivered.
Push to Reopen the Case
Seeking to advance the campaign, Coates has enlisted the assistance of Radd Seiger, an adviser known for his work with the family of Harry Dunn, the British teenager killed in a road collision involving a US citizen in 2019.
The pair are preparing to travel to Texas to meet representatives from the Collin County District Attorney’s Office. Their objective is to persuade prosecutors to review the case in light of the conclusions reached during the UK inquest.
Coates acknowledges the legal systems of the United Kingdom and the United States differ, but argues that the coroner’s findings raise important questions that warrant further examination.
Appeal for Government Support
While insisting she is not seeking political interference in the American justice process, Coates says she wants stronger public support from the British government.
She believes the unlawful killing verdict should have prompted greater engagement from senior officials and hopes ministers will back the family’s efforts to seek a new review of the case.
The family has requested meetings with senior government figures, including Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and is asking for official recognition of the challenges they have faced throughout the campaign.
Grief and Advocacy Intertwined
Coates described the emotional burden of balancing her pursuit of justice with the personal grief of losing her only child.
She said the first year after Lucy’s death was dominated by shock and determination to uncover answers, while the second year has been marked by the deeper reality of her loss.
The campaign, she explained, has become so central to her life that it sometimes feels separate from her memories of Lucy as a daughter.
Despite that, she remains committed to continuing the fight for what she believes would have been her daughter’s wish—a full and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death.
Calls for Review of Consular Support
Seiger argues that the case highlights the challenges families can face when seeking justice across international jurisdictions. He believes it reflects the type of complex cross-border situation that should receive higher-level government attention and support.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office expressed sympathy for the family, stating that consular assistance had been provided and that lessons would continue to be learned to improve support for families facing similar tragedies in the future.
Officials are understood to be reviewing recent correspondence from the family, while the Collin County District Attorney’s Office has not publicly commented on the latest calls for a renewed investigation.
Family Continues Search for Answers
As preparations for the Texas trip move forward, Coates says her ultimate goal remains unchanged: securing a fresh examination of the evidence and ensuring her daughter’s case receives what she believes is proper consideration.
For the grieving mother, the campaign is about more than legal outcomes. It is, she says, an effort to ensure that Lucy’s voice continues to be heard and that questions surrounding her death are fully addressed.
