Anniversary of Scarlett's death marked at Hartland

By [lchurchill]

FRIENDS and family of murdered Torridgeside teenager, Scarlett Keeling, gathered at Hartland to mark the anniversary of her death.

Fiona MacKeown's 15-year-old daughter Scarlett was found dead on a beach in Goa, India on February 18, 2008.

Ms MacKeown who lives near Meddon, Bideford said friends and family came from across the country to mark the occasion.

She said: "We had a really nice day down at the beach and we all left messages on the stones for Scarlett.

"I saw on the Indian news that people had left flowers for her on where she was found, which was nice."

Scarlett was on holiday with her family when she was drugged, raped and killed. Her mother has since been fighting to get justice for her daughter, she described as "a happy bouncy teenager".

Indian police were due to fly to Britain to interview Ms MacKeown between March 3 and 6.

However, officers from Central Bureau of Investigation now have to apply to a Women and Child's court before they will be able to do so.

Ms MacKeown believes the hold up could mean officers won't be in Bideford until the end of the month.

She said: "I'm still hopeful it will happen and they will come and speak to me — they need to do this to finish the investigation."

Ms MacKeown said she has been given great support from the local Bideford police who are liaising with Indian officials.

She said: "Reports in Indian papers are claiming that the area's tourism industry income is down 30 to 40% and I'm hoping this and the world-wide media will keep the pressure on the government to do something.

"One minute I feel hopeful that I may get justice for Scarlett, but the next minute I just don't know."