Jane Coates, the mother of a British graduate shot dead by her father in Texas, is traveling to the United States in an effort to persuade prosecutors to reopen the case. Coates claims she has been "deserted by the British authorities" in her pursuit of justice for her daughter, Lucy Harrison.
Harrison, a 23-year-old fashion buyer from Warrington, Cheshire, was fatally shot by her father, Kris Harrison, at his home in Prosper, Texas, on January 10, 2025, shortly before she was scheduled to return to the UK. A grand jury in Collin County declined to bring criminal charges, accepting Kris Harrison's account that the handgun discharged accidentally while he was showing it to his daughter.
However, a coroner in England concluded in February 2026 that Harrison had been unlawfully killed, finding her father's actions constituted gross negligence manslaughter under UK law. Senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish ruled that Harrison's conduct was "reckless," noting he had been drinking wine before handling a loaded Glock pistol. The coroner also heard that Texas police officers did not administer an alcohol test despite smelling alcohol on his breath.
Coates expressed her feelings of isolation in the campaign for justice, stating, "I think it's not being heard – just raising all of our concerns and nothing being acted upon, and feeling like we've just been deserted by the British authorities." She indicated that, apart from her Member of Parliament, Sarah Hall, her efforts have been met with closed doors. Coates hoped the unlawful killing verdict would be a turning point, but stated that it had not advanced her request for a new investigation in Texas.
She is now planning to travel to Texas with Radd Seiger, an advisor who previously assisted the family of Harry Dunn, who died in a road crash in the UK involving an American citizen. Coates aims to meet with the Collin County District Attorney's office to appeal to them regarding concerns about the US investigation and to seek a reconsideration of the case in light of the UK coroner's findings.
Coates emphasized that she is not asking the Foreign Office to interfere with the American justice system but is seeking public support from the British government. "Surely, having an unlawful killing conclusion in a coroner's court should then mean something, and I definitely thought that it would have been escalated in the Foreign Office," she said. She wants government assurance that they will publicly support her family's campaign and their efforts with US authorities.
Coates described the prolonged campaign for justice as having left little room for her to grieve her only child. She stated, "I think this second year has been much harder actually than the first." She feels she is living a dual existence: as a grieving mother and as a campaigner, and she is seeking an opportunity to simply be with her daughter's memory.
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stated that their thoughts remain with Jane Coates and her family for their tragic loss. The office confirmed they were in contact with the family and provided consular support, adding, "We will always look to learn lessons to improve the consular support we offer to other families in the future." The office is reportedly reviewing recent correspondence from the family and intends to respond. The Collin County District Attorney's Office has been approached for comment.