Woman fearful of 'predators' before her death, family say

The family of a "loving" woman found dead in her flat have welcomed the news that police are to review the investigation into her death following almost two years of campaigning.

Katie Beattie was found at home in Lancaster, Lancashire, on 1 July 2024, with detectives concluding the 27-year-old's death was not suspicious and an inquest unable to determine how she died.

But her sister, Kellie Rhodes, says the family has been left with "unanswered questions" and Katie had talked to them about being fearful of "predators" before her death.

The family have since successfully applied for the case to be re-examined through the Victims' Right to Review scheme.

The scheme allows victims of crime to request a formal review of a decision by the police or the Crown Prosecution Service not to prosecute a suspect or to drop a case.

Lancashire Police said: "The initial investigation has been reviewed following a victim right to review, and further enquiries are being conducted following this."

Kellie, 38, from Heysham, said she and her family were pleased to know the case was to be re-examined as a result of their campaigning.

"I really hope we can get justice for Katie and some answers for us as a family," she said, adding they "have been pushing now for two years".

"I don't wish for any other family to ever have to go through anything like this. It's just been horrendous," she said.

An inquest into Katie's death held by coroner Christopher Long at Preston Coroners' Court on 12 June 2025 recorded a conclusion that "it has not been possible on the available evidence to determine how Ms Beattie came by her death".

In Katie's case, Kellie said her family were shocked to discover blood tests had not been carried out following her death due to it not having been deemed suspicious. By the time a forensic post-mortem was carried out nine days later, it was too late.

"We want it to be made mandatory that when someone arrives at the mortuary then bloods should be taken," she said.

"It should be standard practice that bloods are taken and preserved because, by that not happening, our family has been left with no answers as to what caused Katie's death."

Kellie said when her sister had been found on her bed, she was partially naked, wearing one sock and had bruising on her body.

She said Katie also had what they believe was a puncture wound in between the fourth and fifth toes of her left foot and her left foot appeared to have been cleaned, with a sock on it, whereas her other foot had no sock on but "sock fluff" between her toes.

A bottle of washing-up liquid was found next to her on the bed, Kellie added.

Kellie said her sister was vulnerable and had been diagnosed with autism, as well as being dependent on alcohol due to struggling with mental health problems.