Scarlett's body to be brought home

Updated 15.43 Thu Mar 27 2008

Keywords: India, Goa, Scarlett Keeling

Preparations are being made to bring the body of British teenager Scarlett Keeling back to the UK.

The 15-year-old was raped and killed at the resort of Anjuna in Goa on February 19.

Her body has now been shifted to Mumbai and is likely to be flown to London on March 30

Her body has now been shifted to Mumbai and is likely to be flown to London on March 30.

Police initially said Scarlett had drowned, but an autopsy performed at her mother's request found that her body was covered with bruises, her mouth was stuffed with sand and she did not have enough saltwater in her lungs to indicate drowning.

A murder investigation was launched and three people have been arrested in connection with the case.

Scarlett's mother, Fiona MacKeown, 43, six other younger children and her mother's boyfriend - who arrived in India in November on a six-month holiday - were travelling elsewhere in the region when Scarlett was killed.

Mrs MacKeown said she will make sure that the investigation into her daughter's murder continues.

She has not ruled out the possibility of forensic tests in England, and has also expressed her desire to return to Goa.

Mrs MacKeown believes that the local police and government in Goa have conspired to cover up the circumstances of Scarlett's death.