We still say there was a criminal element in Nora’s death

Parents of tragic Malaysian jungle teen call for inquest to find truth

THE heartbroken parents of a teenager found dead in a Malaysian jungle believe there was a “criminal element” involved in her death.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy, Meabh and Sebastian Quoirin said they want “truth and justice” for their daughter Nora, whose naked body was found after a 10-day search in Dusun in August.

In an RTE News interview last night, the distraught mum from Belfast said she has many questions.

When the 15-year-old disappeared from her hotel room, her parents feared she had been abducted, insisting she would not have wandered off by herself.

However, police in Malaysia said they found no evidence of abduction or kidnapping.

Last night Meabh said it would have been “impossible physically, mentally, to imagine that she could have got any distance at all”.

She added: “For us something very complex happened.

“We have insisted from the beginning we believe there was a criminal element to what happened. And crucially we’re struggling because it was difficult to get resources in place fast enough to investigate a criminal angle.

“While a postmortem when it comes through may give us answers, and has already given us some basic answers around what caused Nora’s death, it doesn’t explain any of how she could possibly have got to where she was found.”

Tests revealed Nora died from internal bleeding probably caused by hunger and stress. However, Meabh and Sebastian said they are still waiting on the full postmortem results from Malaysia.

Her body was brought back to London where another examination was carried out and the couple are awaiting the results of that as well.

Nora was born with a very rare genetic condition which led to cognitive difficulties and developmental delays.

She also struggled with her balance and co-ordination. Her parents believe

Malaysian authorities didn’t understand the fact Nora had special needs which was “hugely frustrating and incredibly stressful”.

Now they have asked for an inquest to be carried out by the country’s authorities.

Sebastian said: “We are determined to have this inquest.

“We’re hopeful the French, the Irish and British governments will support us. I think it’s a basic human right and democratic duty to find some truth and justice to what happened.”

While Meabh said they will live with the horror of what happened to their family in Malaysia for the rest of their lives, she hopes to find some kind of closure.

She added: “I think we will seek justice insofar as we can. We have to find peace in our own hearts.

“We will carry Nora with us for ever. She’s with us here every day. I talk to her every day. She holds my hand. We hear her, we see her in all that we do at home.”