Inquest into the Tragic Death of 23-Year-Old Lucy Harrison
26th Feb 2026
The inquest into the tragic death of 23‑year‑old British graduate Lucy Harrison has concluded with a verdict of unlawful killing, bringing long‑awaited clarity to her family following an immensely painful year. Lucy died on 10 January 2025 while visiting her father at his home in Prosper, Texas. She was shot in the chest after what the coroner later described as her father’s reckless handling of a loaded firearm.
During the inquest, the court heard that Lucy, who had been passionately opposed to guns, was preparing to return to the UK following a post‑Christmas trip with her boyfriend. The shooting occurred in a bedroom of the property, and despite her father’s claim that the gun “just went off,” the coroner rejected this explanation. Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish ruled that firing a pistol at his daughter from across the room was an act of gross negligence and that Lucy’s death could not be considered accidental.
The inquest also highlighted troubling details about the circumstances leading up to the tragedy. Evidence showed that Lucy’s father had been drinking that morning and had previously struggled with alcohol misuse, factors which contributed to the coroner’s finding of reckless behaviour. The firearm, a handgun kept in the home, was mishandled in a way the coroner deemed reprehensible. Emergency services arrived quickly after Lucy’s boyfriend called 911, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
The family were supported throughout the process by Victoria Cox, who specialises in serious and fatal injuries in foreign jurisdictions. Victoria also arranged for barrister, Lois Norris of Kings Chambers, to represent them at the inquest, and was there for the family every step of the way, ensuring that the full circumstances surrounding Lucy’s death were thoroughly examined and formally recognised.
The verdict provides a measure of justice for Lucy’s mother, Jane Coates, who says:
“Today’s outcome has finally given Luce her voice back, after what has been an unrelenting year of deep shock, grief and fight. Fight, with quiet yet focused, steely determination, to allow Lucy to speak her truth in the only way she now can. At an inquest, whilst we recognise that an unlawful killing outcome has been decided in a coroner’s court and not a criminal one, we welcome the coroner’s conclusion and thank her for exploring all of the evidence fairly, as fully as she could, and fearlessly for Lucy.
“I brought Lucy up in a single parent family and along each step of the way, I did what parents do to keep their children safe: watching her play with friends when she was little, staying awake until she came home from a night out, and feeling grateful every time her return flight landed safely after visiting her Dad and family. I never imagined she would be shot and killed in the US, in a place where she should have been safe. We respectfully accept that our two cultures are different in regards to firearms, yet we feel Texas gun laws did not keep Lucy safe from harm. Lucy died as a result of a gunshot wound to her chest. The bullet passed through her heart and exited out of her right shoulderblade. Texan laws on guns are so different to England. We heard at the inquest it is legal to own a gun in Texas and no licence is needed to own that gun for self -defence at home. You can’t own a gun for self-defence in England and it’s illegal to possess a firearm without a police licence, with strict criteria applying to get a licence. Gun ownership is legal and commonplace and sadly it results in too many deaths in the USA.
Furthermore, it is mine and Sam’s strongly held view that the US investigation led by the Prosper Police Department lacked the rigour and scrutiny you’d expect if this had happened in the UK. Lucy deserved better. The Grand Jury seemed to have no option but to conclude a ‘no bill’ which meant no prosecution could be brought, based on the evidence they were presented with.
“Despite believing that Texas gun laws and decisions made by the Prosper Police Department failed Lucy, both Sam and I would like to extend our thanks to the many first responders who tried to save Lucy’s life, including the team at the Baylor Medical Center. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everybody who helped to ease the wretchedness of this last year, including family, friends, colleagues, employers and the wider community for their continued kindness, love and support. Finally, I want to thank Sam, for loving Lucy unconditionally – I take great comfort in knowing that in her short adult life, she experienced the richness of true love with her soul mate.
“Although we are satisfied with the coroner’s conclusion, there is much to be learnt from Lucy’s needless and entirely avoidable death. It is in anger, where bitterness and hatred may suffocate love and healing. But we will not let that happen. Lucy had so much more of life to live, to love, to give. She had a huge sense of right and wrong, and was not afraid to speak out if she saw any type of injustice. Those who really know Lucy’s heart can hear her, loud and clear, and know exactly what she would want us to do moving forward. Make change. Do better. Be better.
“Myself and Sam will not be making any further comments in the immediate future. We need some time to process recent events so please respect our wishes for privacy at this time.”
Victoria Cox says:
“Losing a child in such horrific circumstances is tough enough but my client has had to deal with it happening in a different country and not knowing what was happening from one day to the next.
“Part of the problem at an inquest, as the family encountered, is a witness who lives abroad cannot be compelled to give a statement or be questioned by the Coroner on what happened if they choose not to be.”
“Jane was really hoping she’d get the answers she longed for this week and she’s been denied that, but there are more facts out there now which is something. Sadly she and all who loved Lucy now have to live with the knowledge that her death could’ve been avoided – something they will never recover from.”
The inquest has been widely reported in both National and International press. You can read more on: