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British girl’s death: second autopsy ordered

PANAJI: The Goa police have decided to order a second autopsy of the body of the British teenage girl whose body was found in a semi-nude condition under mysterious circumstances on the Anjuna beach of north Goa in the early hours of February 18.

North Goa Superintendent of Police Bosco George told The Hindu here on Tuesday that the decision has been taken following a complaint lodged by Fiona Mackeown, mother of Scarlet Keeling, the victim, with the State police, suspecting foul play. She has demanded a fresh probe and declined to take possession of the body until the case became “crystal clear.”

Mr. Bosco admitted that they were now examining whether the girl’s death was homicidal or accidental. The police are also checking out on the people who were last seen with the girl or had last seen her.

Based on the earlier autopsy report, which had concluded that the death was due to drowning and ruled out rape, Mr. Bosco said they did not feel there was any foul play but have decided to pursue the case to probe the “circumstantial evidence” as the mother has raised certain doubts.

Interestingly, the police had earlier detained one Samson, a resident of Chinvar-Anjuna and are on the lookout for one Menon alias Masla, a British national, in this connection.

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