Lucy Harrison, 23, died after allegedly being shot by her father on January 10, 2025, after they got into a discussion about Donald Trump. Now, more than a year after her death, her mother has returned to the United States seeking answers about what happened and calling for the investigation into her daughter’s death to be reopened.
According to reports, Lucy was shot and killed while staying with her father, Kris Harrison, at his family home in Prosper, Texas. Lucy, from Warrington in the UK, had traveled to the US with her boyfriend, Sam Littler.
The couple were supposed to fly back to the UK on January 10, 2025, but the day of their intended departure took a tragic turn.
According to Littler, Lucy and her father got into an argument about politics. During the argument, Sky News reported that Lucy asked Kris how he would feel if she were sexually assaulted, to which he allegedly replied that he wouldn’t be that upset, reportedly referring to the fact that he has two other daughters who live with him.
His answer then caused Lucy to “run upstairs” as she was “upset,” according to Littler.
A while later, Littler heard a sudden bang and Kris shouting for his wife.
“I remember running into the room and Lucy was lying on the floor near the entrance to the bathroom, and Kris was just screaming, just sort of nonsense,” Littler said.
Lucy Harrison was shot after ‘argument’ about Trump
Kris later told police that the shooting had been an accident.
Bodycam footage taken by officers inside his home in Prosper recorded the moment the father told police he had been in the process of showing Lucy his gun when it “just went off”.
He claimed Lucy had asked to see his gun as she didn’t know he had one.
A UK inquest also heard how Kris had previously been to rehab for alcohol addiction, with the father himself admitting in a statement that he had relapsed on the day of the shooting.
After Lucy’s death, her father said in a statement: “There isn’t a day I don’t feel the weight of that loss – a weight I will carry for the rest of my life, and I know that nothing I say can ease the heartbreak this tragedy has caused.”
He concluded: “I am deeply sorry for the pain others feel from this tragedy. Lucy’s spirit – her warmth, her humour, her kindness – will live on in all of us who loved her.”
Investigations into Lucy’s death
Following Lucy’s death, Texas authorities initially investigated the case as a possible manslaughter. However, authorities ultimately found there was no criminal conduct, and a grand jury concluded there wasn’t enough evidence to bring criminal charges.
In the UK, meanwhile, a coroner reportedly concluded that Lucy had been unlawfully killed, despite no criminal conviction being pursued.
Her mother, Jane Coates, has said the UK finding gave the family some recognition of what they believe happened to Lucy, but did not resolve their concerns about the investigation in Texas.
“We had to wait until February 2026 before we felt that we could freely speak about what we felt had happened to Lucy and how let down we felt,” Jane explained, according to VT.
“Receiving the unlawful killing outcome was a day full of complete mixed emotions, but one where finally Lucy’s truth and voice has been heard in some capacity.
“But from then it still hasn’t moved things forward in terms of my request for a reopening of the investigation in Texas.”
Her mother has now returned to the US
Jane has now returned to the US after previously saying she intended to meet with the district attorney and call for the case to be reopened and investigated further. She has made the trip with the support of campaigner Radd Seiger.
The family has been sharing updates from their campaign online through “For Luce,” with Jane keeping supporters informed and recently confirming that she had arrived in Dallas.
But the family says their efforts to speak with officials have so far hit a roadblock, claiming that both Prosper Police and the District Attorney’s Office had “refused to meet” with them.
A statement released on behalf of the family said their “door remains open to them should they change their minds”.
“Jane is here because, 20 months after Lucy was shot and killed in Prosper, she still doesn’t have the answers she deserves.
“The case for now reopening the investigation into what happened to Lucy can no longer reasonably be ignored.
“We have come to Dallas to seek justice. Anyone in Jane’s position would do the same, including those in authority here if Lucy were their child. It is the right thing to do.”
“The case needs to be reopened”
The family said Jane intends to speak to the media and that the family is “putting our case to them”.
“In Lucy’s case, Harrison says the gun just went off. We are not prepared to simply accept that explanation without asking whether it was properly tested,” it said.
“We are going to keep putting the evidence and the questions in front of the people responsible and in front of the public in the United States.
“If this investigation really was thorough and complete, then show us why. If, however, as we strongly suspect, it was not thorough and complete, then the case needs to be reopened and independently reinvestigated. It is the only credible way forward.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has previously said it remains in contact with Lucy’s family, according to VT.
A spokesperson said: “Our thoughts remain with Jane and her family for the tragic loss they have suffered. We were in contact with the family and provided consular support.
“We will always look to learn lessons to improve the consular support we offer to other families in the future.”
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