AT LAST..WE’LL GET JUSTICE FOR NORA
Family relief at inquest into forest death
THE parents of a British girl who died in Malaysia believe their fight for justice is “moving forward” – after an inquest U-turn.
Tragic Nora Quoirin’s body was found a mile and a half from a rainforest resort where she vanished during a family holiday last August.
The 15-year-old’s parents Meabh and Sebastien were left devastated when local police closed the probe into her death in January.
But on Friday, officials announced a ten-day inquest will now begin on August 24 – with 64 witnesses set to give evidence via videoconference due to the Covid-19 crisis.
The couple said: “We are pleased that our mission for justice for Nora is moving forward.
“We have fought very hard to keep Nora’s case alive and it has been our wish all along to have an inquest. This will be crucial in determining the fullest possible picture of what happened to Nora and how her case was dealt with.”
Nora was found lying in plain sight with her head on her hands following a large-scale ten-day search around the Dusun Rainforest Resort, an hour from the capital Kuala Lumpur.
The special needs pupil from Balham, South London, was last seen in bed just hours after checking in with her parents and two younger siblings.
She had a brain disorder which caused her difficulties with walking and balance. Her parents were convinced she could not have reached the spot where she was found on her own, believing a kidnapper was involved. They also revealed they were never given post-mortem results for their girl.
And they told how the authorities had refused to answer 30 questions they submitted through their lawyer.
Last night Meabh and Sebastien, who are suing the resort where they were staying for negligence, thanked the coroner’s court and the governments of both Malaysia and the UK for support they have received.
News of the inquest was hailed by the Lucie Blackman Trust, a charity for British nationals in crisis overseas, which has been backing the family.