Jane Coates, the mother of Lucy Harrison, has formally requested that the Prosper Police Department reopen the investigation into her daughter's death. Lucy, 23, was shot and killed by her father, Kris Harrison, on January 10, 2025, at his home in Prosper, Texas. Despite evidence that Mr. Harrison had been drinking and acted recklessly, a grand jury issued a "no bill" in June 2025, meaning no prosecution was pursued.
The Fatal Incident
Lucy Harrison had been visiting her father's home in Texas with her boyfriend, Sam Littler, since December 28, 2024. On the day of her planned return flight, Mr. Harrison took her by the hand into his bedroom. Approximately 15 seconds later, a gunshot was heard. Sam, along with other family members and a neighbor, found Lucy on the floor with a chest wound. The coroner later determined she was shot from "medium range."
At the inquest held on February 11, 2025, at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington, Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish described Mr. Harrison as a "functioning alcoholic." Police confirmed he smelled of alcohol and admitted to drinking continuously from the morning, including a trip to a 7-Eleven under the pretense of collecting cookies. Despite this, he was not breathalyzed or blood-tested for alcohol.
Lack of Prosecution
The Collin County District Attorney's office reviewed the case, but a grand jury decided not to indict Mr. Harrison. Jane Coates has since submitted a formal complaint to the Prosper Police Department, arguing that the investigation lacked rigor. She stated, "At the very core, this is not about laws or jurisdiction. It is my strongly held belief that this is about a police investigation which lacked rigour, scrutiny and fell below the professional standards Lucy deserved."
The coroner rejected Mr. Harrison's claim that the gun discharged accidentally while being removed from a box. She noted, "To shoot her through the chest whilst she was standing would have required him to have been pointing the gun at his daughter without checking for bullets and pulled the trigger. I find this action to be reckless." The coroner recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
Ongoing Campaign
Mr. Harrison did not attend the inquest and attempted to have the coroner recuse herself, a motion that was denied. He remains living in Prosper with his wife and younger daughters. Jane Coates continues to campaign for the case to be reopened, emphasizing that her daughter deserved a thorough investigation. The Prosper Police Department has stated they do not comment on cases once referred to the District Attorney's office due to possible ongoing litigation.
