The family of Lucy Hargreaves, a mother of three shot dead on her sofa in 2005, has criticised police and prosecution failures that they say have left the case unsolved for over two decades. The 22-year-old was killed in her Walton home by three masked men who shot her three times with a sawn-off shotgun before setting the house on fire.
Despite 21 arrests, no one has been convicted. Gangland figures Tony Downes and Kirk Bradley, along with Adam McNally, were acquitted after a judge ruled they had no case to answer. The alleged gunman, Kevin Parle, fled to Spain and remains wanted by the National Crime Agency.
The family's complaint to Merseyside Police, upheld by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), highlighted concerns over phone evidence, lack of CCTV, and the fact Parle was on bail for another murder at the time. The family says relevant evidence was overlooked and charges did not reflect the gravity of the case.
A police review is ongoing, with Merseyside Police stating they are 'as determined as ever' to secure justice. The family continues to appeal for information, saying there will 'never be a happy ending' but hoping for progress.
