Texas police are pressing for charges after the death of a British woman at her father’s American home was ruled a homicide.
Lucy Harrison, 23, from Cheshire, was found at the house in Prosper, Texas, on January 10.
A coroner found she died of gunshot wound to the chest and she ‘was shot by another person’.
Chester Gwin, M.D. Assistant County Medical Examiner for Collin County, also confirmed that there was no alcohol or drugs in Lucy’s system at the time of her death.
The former university student had been due to fly back to Manchester the next day, a post on her stepmother’s Facebook page revealed.
Heartbreaking photos show Lucy playing in the snow with her siblings and boyfriend just hours before the tragedy occurred.
An official from the Town of Prosper said a ‘thorough investigation’ has been carried out and a file has been passed to the Collin County District Attorney for review and potential charges.
Todd Rice, Director of Communications for the Town of Prosper, said: ‘After a thorough investigation related to the tragic incident that occurred on January 10th, the Prosper Police Department referred this case to the Collin County District Attorney’s Office for review and any potential further action.
Lucy Harrison, 23, from Cheshire, was found dead at her father’s house in Prosper, Texas on January 10
The autopsy report, dated January 23, confirms that Lucy died from a gunshot wound to the chest – and that she ‘was shot by another person’
Lucy was found dead at the home of her father Kris (pictured) who works for a fibre optics firm in the States
‘As a normal practice, we do not comment once a case has been referred, due to the possibility of ongoing investigation or pending litigation.’
An inquest was opened into Lucy’s death with a full hearing due to take place at Warrington Coroners’ Court on March 28.
A written report from the inquest opening read: ‘Ms Harrison was on holiday in the USA when she was fatally shot with a firearm.’
It said that the time of death was 3.47 pm local time on January 10. The autopsy was carried out at 9.10am on January 13.
It comes as Lucy’s ‘utterly heartbroken’ mother and boyfriend paid tribute to her in a statement.
They said the 23-year-old was ‘unashamedly loved’ and ‘truly thriving in life’ when she died.
The statement released through Cheshire Police read: ‘Lucy was life. She lived it fiercely and fearlessly, not being afraid to feel all that life has to offer.
‘Lucy unashamedly loved – she had a huge capacity to love and be loved.
‘She was the embodiment of wonderful contradictions; she adored travel and being away, experiencing new places and cultures, yet at the same time, she loved nothing more than snuggling up in her pyjamas with her candles on at home.
‘She could be dramatic and elaborate situations like it was the end of the world, yet she could also be straight talking and [was] not afraid to have bold conversations.
‘She was truly thriving in life and although this gives us great comfort, we are utterly heartbroken at the loss of our beautiful, gorgeous Luce.’
Social media posts show Lucy on holiday with her father Kris Harrison over the Christmas period.
A streetside shot of the house in Prosper, Texas where Lucy was found dead on January 10
Heartbreaking photos show Lucy playing in the snow with her siblings and boyfriend just hours before the tragedy occurred
Lucy Harrison, 23, (pictured) was found at the house in Texas on January 10, police have said
An inquest was opened into Ms Harrison’s death after she died of a gunshot wound in Texas
Lucy, 23, from Cheshire, was found at the house in Prosper, Texas, on January 10
Kris used to work in Saudi Arabia but is now employed by a fibre-optic firm in the States, according to his LinkedIn profile.
Lucy’s funeral will be held at St Elphin’s Parish Church in Warrington at 12.30pm on Monday, February 24.
Her family have asked for donations to be made to Peace & Mind UK, a Warrington-based charity set up by the mother of Brianna Ghey.
It is believed she is a former Manchester Metropolitan University student.
The DA’s office refused to comment to .