She excelled as a pianist, left school with 10 GCSEs and went on to Hereford Sixth-form College, where she gained two A-levels. Asked if there was heroin in the syringe she was clutching when her body was discovered, Mr Howlett would only say: "I think it is inconclusive at this time."Ms Whitear's death has been surrounded in controversy from the very beginning.The publication of the images of the young woman crouched on the floor in a foetal position with blackened arms and a swollen face was shocking. He said: "Rachel was buried without any post-mortem examination of her body being conducted beforehand. I am still unable to ascertain with any degree of certainty the cause of Rachel's death."After discussion with a suitably qualified forensic medical expert, I am advised that, despite the passage of time, the completion of the post-mortem could still possibly provide forensic evidence that would assist in identifying the cause of Rachel's death."One question officers will address is the possibility that someone else was involved in Ms Whitear's death. All we really want is a closure on it, but we know that may never happen This is an opportunity to find out.

It is difficult to live not knowing or understanding what your daughter died from."Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Howlett, of Wiltshire Police, who is leading the inquiry on behalf of the Police Complaints Authority, promised that the examination of Ms Whitear's remains would be thorough. Although we are enormously saddened, we are coming to terms with the fact that an exhumation of Rachel's body is necessary."Asked for her reaction to the decision to dig up her daughter's body, Mrs Holcroft replied: "It is very upsetting. In heroin overdose cases, the drug can repress the body's system and the person can die because the body "forgets" to breathe.Ms Whitear's mother and stepfather, Pauline and Mick Holcroft, held a news conference yesterday in Hereford at which Mr Holcroft said: "This has obviously been a very difficult few years for Pauline, myself and our family, culminating in today's announcement."Nothing can prepare a family for this. Examination of the skeleton will also reveal any breaks or injuries that could indicate foul play.The police also want to discover whether there is any evidence to support the theory that Ms Whitear died of asphyxiation. A dearly loved daughter, sister and friend."Detectives only decided to have the body examined in the past few months after forensic scientists convinced them that it might be possible to obtain fresh clues about the cause of death.The inquiry has been hampered from the start by the failure of the coroner and the police to order a post-mortem examination.Forensic scientists hope to be able to check the level of drugs and any other toxic substances in the body by analysing tiny traces of human tissue. No date has been set for the exhumation but it is expected to be carried out in the next few months. On Ms Whitear's gravestone is the epitaph: "Peacefully resting where no shadows fall.

The extraordinary case of Rachel Whitear took a new twist yesterday after it was announced that her body is to be exhumed amid growing concern that she did not die from a heroin overdose. "Accusations were made during the course of the inquiry and by the media, which were untrue, unfair and hurtful and to which they could not reply. I appreciate the fortitude with which these pressures have been handled and am grateful for the support those in the spotlight have received from their colleagues.". He does, however, criticise aspects of the MoD procedure for keeping Dr Kelly informed about the confirmation of his name to the media.