Two suspects have been cleared of the rape and culpable homicide of 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling in Goa eight years ago.
The men, Samson D’Souza and Placido Carvalho, had been accused of giving her drugs, raping her and leaving her unconscious on Anjuna beach, where she was later found drowned.
At the time, in February 2008, the high-profile case drew criticism of Scarlett’s mother, Fiona MacKeown, who had allowed her daughter to stay in Anjuna to attend a Valentine’s Day party while the rest of the family travelled to a neighbouring state.
Scarlett’s body was discovered in shallow water, half clothed and bruised. A post-mortem revealed she had taken ecstasy, cocaine and LSD.
Police initially said the death was an accident.
Mrs MacKeown, who admits being ‘naïve’ in leaving her daughter alone, said she plans to appeal.
