Murder of Scarlett Keeling
2008 murder of British schoolgirl in Goa
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On 18 February 2008, the body of Scarlett Keeling, a 15-year-old British schoolgirl, was found on Anjuna beach in Goa, India.[1] Initially dismissed by local authorities as an accidental drowning, the case became an international scandal after Keeling's mother, Fiona MacKeown, campaigned for a deeper investigation.[2] Subsequent autopsies and investigations revealed that Keeling had been drugged, sexually assaulted, and murdered.[3]
Incident and initial investigation
Scarlett Keeling, from Devon, South West England, was on a six-month holiday in India with her family. In February 2008, she remained behind in Anjuna while her mother and siblings traveled to neighbouring state of Karnataka.[2][4] On the morning of 18 February, Keeling's semi-naked body was found on the shoreline.[1]
The Goa Police initially claimed Keeling had drowned after consuming drugs voluntarily.[5] However, Keeling's mother, Fiona MacKeown, disputed this, citing numerous bruises on her daughter's body and the fact that her clothes were missing.[4] A second autopsy, conducted after significant pressure, revealed the presence of MDMA, cocaine, and alcohol in Keeling's system, as well as 50 separate injuries.[1][5] It concluded that she had been held face-down in shallow water until she drowned.[3]
Evidence later emerged from Keeling's emails, which suggested she had previously expressed fears regarding a "gang rape" and harassment by local men.[6]
Legal proceedings
The case was eventually handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in June 2008.[1] Two local men, Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho, were charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, sexual assault, and outraging modesty.[5]
Trial and appeals
In 2016, a special court in Goa acquitted both D'Souza and Carvalho, citing a lack of evidence.[5]
The CBI appealed the acquittal of D'Souza in the Bombay High Court. In July 2019, the Goa bench of the Bombay High Court overturned the lower court's decision regarding D'Souza. He was convicted of culpable homicide, sexual assault, and administering drugs with the intent to cause harm.[3] A key piece of evidence leading to his conviction was a pair of orange slippers found at the scene, which witnesses linked to D'Souza.[7] D'Souza was sentenced to 10 years of "rigorous imprisonment."[8] The acquittal of Carvalho was upheld due to insufficient evidence.[3]